Governor Sonny Perdue Announces Acceleration of I-95 Projects

BRUNSWICK, GA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that six projects on Interstate 95 have been accelerated as part of his “Fast Forward” program, a $15.57 billion transportation initiative launched in April 2004.  When the six projects are complete, the entire 112-mile length of the I-95 corridor in Georgia will feature six lanes, three in each direction.

“This interstate is a vital corridor for companies transporting goods, commuters driving to work and families traveling on vacation,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “These projects will allow all of these important activities to occur more efficiently and without delays caused by traffic congestion.”

Construction on one of the six projects has begun, covering almost 5 miles of I-95 from south of the U.S. 17/State Route 25 interchange to north of State Route 303 in Glynn County. The $51 million project is slated to be complete by October 2007. The remaining five projects cover 26 miles and five interchanges and overpasses that extend from State Route 303 northward to north of State Route 57 in McIntosh County and represent an additional $300 million of construction to complete the I-95 corridor.

“The Fast Forward program allows Georgia to do in 6 years what would otherwise take 18 years to complete. This program adds capacity to Georgia's highways and includes critically needed improvements to our existing highway network,” said Governor Perdue. 

 “These projects will reduce congestion and encourage economic development,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl.  “I expect all six of our I-95 projects to be complete by the summer of 2009.”

Without the funding provided by Governor Perdue's initiative, it is estimated the projects would not have been complete until at least 2014.

More information about the Fast Forward Program is available at the Georgia Department of Transportation's website at www.dot.state.ga.us .