Panola Road Interchange

FAST FACTS

GDOT Project #:0002868
Type: Reconstruction/Rehabilitation
Project Length: 0.9 miles
Affected Counties: Newton, DeKalb
Condemning Authority: GDOT
Estimated Affected Parcels: 46
Estimated Cost: $90,934,876
Right-of-Way Funds: $139,940,000

Description

This project will redesign the interchange at Panola Road and I-20 to improve traffic flow. The new diverging diamond interchange will also help with commercial traffic and safety. In addition, the Panola Road bridge will be replaced with a wider unit capable of accommodating future expansion of I-20.

The total project length is a deceptive 0.9 miles, but with bridge construction and interchange work, the potential for disruption and the need for more surrounding property can be more significant than the short length would have you believe.

Business and Homeowner Concerns

GDOT will need property around the project, and owners should be aware that it may need more than they think. And while losing property is not ideal, it’s not the only way property owners can be affected.

Bridge and interchange construction take time, and GDOT will quite possibly take easements as well as taking property from local owners. Permanent easements for things like drainage and water control are not uncommon. Temporary easements for access and even equipment storage may also be taken. In both cases, property owners should know that easements are tricky business, and their impact is often understated.

Finally, the construction process may cause damage to property owners via inverse condemnation. When GDOT damages your property without offering compensation, you may have an inverse condemnation claim.

What to Do if Your Property Is Affected

It’s still your property until the government takes it. You still have rights, and there’s still time exercise them if you have not accepted their offer or if they have harmed your property without offering compensation. The government has allocated nearly $40 million to compensate property owners. Remember: the government wants to buy your property for as little as possible. We find the initial offer to be significantly low in many cases. You are not required to accept the government’s initial offer!

Our state constitution gives you the right to fair compensation for what the government takes. That could be significantly more than the first offer. Compensation for lost business income or expenses like relocation are almost never included. We can help you fight for them!

As long as you do not accept the initial offer, you have the opportunity to fight for more. 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

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Project Maps

Estimated Project Schedule

Right of Way Acquisition – 2022

Start Construction – 2024

End Construction – TBD

Affected Parcels

An estimated 46 parcels of property will be affected by the I-20 Panola Road Interchange. Property owners may lose significant amounts of land, representing significant financial value and usability. 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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