Starting Sunday, July 21, the westbound traffic on I-20 between mileposts 18 and 11 will be shifted from the current contraflow configuration to the westbound outside lanes and shoulders. Currently the inside westbound lane is shifted south of the median, adjacent to the two eastbound travel lanes. The plan is to shift the inside westbound lane back to the north side of the median, leaving two travel lanes on each side of the median.  After approximately two weeks in this configuration, the contractor will shift the inside eastbound travel lane to the north side of the median, adjacent the two westbound lanes and begin working on replacing the concrete pavement on this portion of I-20 East. The pavement on the eastbound, inside lane and shoulder is expected to take approximately six months to replace.
While some work will occur on weekdays, the majority of this work will be performed at night and on the weekends in order to minimize the impact of construction on the heavy traffic of Interstate 20.
Signage and message boards will help the traveling public navigate this work zone. All motorists are urged to obey the speed limits and pay attention to all signage throughout the project area. “We certainly hope that all motorists watch out for these traffic shifts and be extra cautious, while approaching this work zone,” said Grant Waldrop, district engineer at the Georgia DOT office in White. “This concrete pavement rehabilitation project may be causing the public some inconvenience, but upon completion, it will improve the flow of traffic on I-20, make it safer, and help the public get where they need to go in Carroll and Haralson counties,” Waldrop explained.
These traffic shifts mark the beginning of the fourth phase of construction on a 12.7-mile project of concrete pavement and rehabilitation on I-20, beginning at US 27/Martha Berry Highway/Exit 11 and extending to State Route 61/Industrial Boulevard/Exit 24. This project is intended to rehabilitate the existing roadway and preserve the integrity of the interstate; enhance the safety of the traveling public, by upgrading the existing guardrail up to current standards, and clearing vegetation according to current guidelines; and improve mobility by replacing the deteriorating pavement and widening and reconstructing the shoulders on this portion of I-20.
Work on this project began early October 2016. With some cooperation from Mother Nature, the project is expected to be completed by mid-July 2020, at a construction cost of $88,895,843.
The Georgia Department of Transportation continues its 2019 construction program. Dozens of important roadway improvement projects are ongoing this summer throughout Northwest Georgia as we work to deliver projects on time and on budget while keeping our transportation network the nation’s finest. Pardon the necessary inconvenience and please drive cautiously and safely at all times, especially in work zones.
The public is urged to “know before you go.” For real-time information on active construction, incidents and more, call 511 or visit www511ga.org before you get into your car.
