I-285 Express Lane and Improvement

FAST FACTS

GDOT Project #: 0013917
Type: Bridge Roadway Construction and Improvement
Project Length: 5.92 miles
Affected Counties: Cobb, Fulton
Condemning Authority: GDOT
Estimated Affected Parcels: 70+
Estimated Cost: $743,000,000
Right-of-Way Funds: $149,951,690

Description

In an effort to relieve congestion and further enhance travel-time reliability, GDOT will be adding an Express Lane in each direction of I-285 between Paces Ferry Road in Cobb County to just north of I-20 in Fulton County. The project will be accompanied by several bridge widenings, replacements, and improvements as well.

Adding a buffer-separated express lane means adding significant right-of-way to an already broad stretch of road. Some entry/exit modification will be necessary, and construction is estimated to take into the 2040s.

For property owners along this project corridor, the risks are plentiful. Though GDOT owns significant right-of-way at present, it will take more. Before you agree to sell your land to GDOT, contact an eminent domain attorney to make sure you’re being treated fairly!

Property Owner Concerns

The I-285 corridor is bordered on both sides of this lengthy project by miles of commercial and residential properties. Shopping centers and residences may find the road and right-of-way encroaching, taking things like parking, access, yards, and more with it.

And the taking of land is just the beginning. While some property owners may lose some or all of their properties, others will lose the rights to use their properties. Many types of easements can rob property owners of their ability to use and enjoy their land. Slope and drainage easements can permanently alter topography. Utility easements can deter development and improvements. And temporary construction easements – especially for such a long-lived project – can feel anything but temporary.

In addition to the damages to their property overall, owners can suffer damage to the remaining land. GDOT can cause harm by inverse condemnation as well – taking land or rights without offering any compensation. More than 70 parcels are affected by this project. If yours is one of them, call 1-888-391-1339 now.

What to Do if Your Property Is Affected

There’s still time to exercise your rights if you have not accepted GDOT’s initial offer. The government has allocated nearly $150 million to compensate property owners, but it will try to buy your property for as little as possible. In many cases, the initial offer is often significantly lower than the value of what’s taken. You are not required to accept the government’s initial offer!

You have the right to fair compensation for property the government takes – even projects that claim to increase the value of surrounding property may ultimately do more harm to yours than good. “Fair” compensation could be significantly more than the first offer. Compensation for lost business income or expenses like relocation are almost never included in those offers. We can help you fight for them!

As long as you do not accept the initial offer, you can fight for more, and we can help. Call 1-888-391-1339 or contact us as soon as possible for a complimentary case evaluation.

We do not take an attorney’s fee unless we increase the government’s offer, and our fee only comes from the increased amount – our no-fee guarantee. Further, we front the costs of fighting your case and if we’re unable to increase the government’s offer to you, you don’t pay them. We do. That is how confident we are that we can assist you.

News and Publications

Georgia Public Broadcasting

Marietta Daily Journal

Atlanta News First

Project Maps

Estimated Project Schedule

Right of Way Acquisition – 2021

Start Construction – 2033

End Construction – 2040+

Affected Parcels

More than 70 parcels of property will be affected by the I-285 Express Lane and Improvements project in Cobb and Fulton Counties. Property owners may lose significant amounts of land and/or property rights, representing significant financial value and usability. It is critical to understand that the government’s initial offer is just that – initial. We do not recommend you accept the initial offer.

Call us at 1-888-391-1339 or contact us online as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.

Get a free case
evaluation today.

There are only a handful of attorneys in GA who practice eminent domain exclusively. And even fewer with DOT experience. That’s why it’s always worth it to get a free case evaluation.

Here’s how it works:

1) Tell us about your situation.

2) We research your property as needed, using DOT maps, our own technology, and experience to see the exact effects.

3) We let you know what we think a fair offer would be. This evaluation is free, and there’s no
pressure or obligation to hire us after.

But please don’t wait to act. Waiting can hurt your case, and the cost is the same: free.

1-888-391-1339

"*" indicates required fields