I-85 South Interchange Reconstruction (Project #0007841)

FAST FACTS

GDOT Project #: 0007841 / FS-AR-182 / CSNHS-0007-00(841)
Type: Roadway/Interchange Capacity or Interchange reconstruction
Project Length: .4 miles
Affected Counties: Fulton
Condemning Authority: City of Fairburn
Estimated Affected Parcels: 35+
Estimated Cost: $88,501,154
Right-of-Way Funds: $30,360,000

Description

The proposed project is located in the City of Fairburn in southwest Fulton County. This project will upgrade and improve the existing I-85 South interchange to accommodate traffic demands expected in the year 2040. The proposed interchange improvements will include new or wider ramps, wider bridges over I-85 and new traffic signals and will cover .4 miles.

The interchange project would continue SR 74 east from the interchange with four through lanes in each direction past Oakley Industrial Boulevard to the intersection with Harris Road, where SR 74 would continue with three lanes in each direction to the intersection with Milam Road. The on and off ramps facing I-85 north would be extended past the SR 92 overpass in order to provide more stacking distance as well as to accommodate possible future ramps at SR 92.

This is an interchange reconstruction to reduce congestion and provide capacity to the I-85 @ SR 74. The project involves adding turn lanes at the ends of the exit ramps and widening the SR 74 bridge to include turn lanes. The interchange will be a partial cloverleaf design as recommended in the Interchange Modification Report (IMR) by Norcross-based TranSystems. The partial cloverleaf design would add a one-lane loop ramp in the northeast quadrant of the interchange and a two-lane loop ramp in the southwest quadrant, thus eliminating the traffic signal for southbound traffic on Hwy. 74, according to TransSystems.

The interchange reconstruction project may help alleviate some of the traffic issues (congestion and access) of the current interchange, but property owners on the planned route should be aware of the changes being made and how their properties may be affected by both the process, construction, and resulting traffic patterns.

The cost estimate breakdown for project #0007841 follows:

ACTIVITY	COST ESTIMATE
SCP	$ 50,000
Engineering (PE)	$ 3,077,843
Right of Way	$30,360,000
Utilities	$ 371,423
Construction	$54,641,888
Total	$88,501,154

Business and Homeowner Concerns

When the government decides it needs your property for a project that will benefit the public good, it can legally take some or all of it under the power of eminent domain. The Fifth Amendment requires the government to make you an offer of just compensation for your property, but it’s important to remember that the initial offer may be low.

The government, like most buyers, is motivated to purchase property as affordably as possible and may not include items, such as relocation expenses and lost business income, in the initial offer. We can help you fight for that compensation!

In some projects, there may be drainage and utility easements taken, which can be very tricky from a property rights standpoint. Sometimes, there are historic properties, streams and wetlands, and residences and businesses that require context-sensitive solutions to minimize the impact of a project.

Your property may be significantly affected by the government’s plans. Contact us if your property is in the path of this I-85 interchange project, and we can discuss your circumstances.

What to Do if Your Property Is Affected

You have rights even though the government can take your land. The government has set aside an estimated $30,360,000 for right-of-way acquisition in 2022-2023 for this project – but there may be surrounding circumstances that could complicate matters. We urge you to consult with an EMD attorney prior to accepting any offer.

You have the right to fair compensation. Remember: the initial offer is just the beginning – as long as you do not accept it. We can help you fight for more. Call 1-888-391-1339 or contact us as soon as possible for a complimentary case evaluation.

We guarantee our clients that we will not touch the government’s initial offer amount, and we will only take an attorney’s fee if we can increase that starting offer amount. At that point, our fee is calculated as a percentage of the increased amount only. The initial offer amount is 100% yours – we don’t touch it.

And we front the costs of fighting your case. If, for some reason, we are unable to increase the government’s initial offer to you, we absorb those costs – not you. We set up the payment structure this way because we are confident in the experience and know how of our eminent domain team, and we believe that we can help you.

Why? Since we’ve been in business, we’ve tripled our clients’ initial offers on average.¹

News and Publications

None at this time.

Project Maps

Estimated Project Schedule

Right of Way Acquisition – Ongoing and scheduled to be completed October 15, 2023.

Start Construction – 2023

Affected Parcels

Over 35 parcels of property show potential impacts from this roadway project. Those property owners may lose a portion of their properties, or a significant amount of their value. For homeowners and commercial property owners in the path of the project, it is critical to understand that the government’s initial offer is just that – initial. We do not recommend you accept the initial offer.

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

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