CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) – The biggest interstate widening project in Georgia’s coastal region in years is coming sooner than expected, as I-16 is set to see more construction by 2027. With more than half a billion dollars going into a 32-mile stretch of I-16, the project is designed to keep up with the explosive growth around Savannah.
The state is planning a major expansion through four counties: Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham and Effingham. The project has been in the works for a while now and now GDOT is ready to release new details on a project they say is moving much faster than normal.
The $522 million project will add a third lane in each direction along a 32.5-mile stretch. This will span from I-95 in Chatham County to State Route 67 (SR-67) near Denmark. It also includes upgrading 20 bridges along the way.
The decision behind this is due to anticipated population growth. Traffic on this stretch of I-16 already sees up to 50,000 vehicles a day – and projections show that could nearly double without improvements, especially with growth tied to the Hyundai Plant and the Georgia Ports. Officials tell WSAV that the project is already in the works. Thanks to $30 million in early funding and a “design-build” approach, GDOT says it’s moving faster than projects of this scale usually do…