08/12/2025
FYI
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Contact: Gina Snider 706-646-7532
District Three Communications
Macon-Bibb County…
I-16/I-75 Interchange Improvement Project Updates: August 15-22, 2025 For Semi-Trucks: Long-Term MLK/Coliseum Closure, Detour to I-16 EB
MACON-BIBB - Contractors for the Georgia Dept. of Transportation (GDOT) will continue construction activities related to the I-16/I-75 Interchange Improvement Project next week in Macon-Bibb. Weather and on-site conditions permitting, the scheduled activities beginning Friday, August 15 – Friday, August 22, 2025, are listed below.
For Semi-Trucks - New Long-Term Closure, Detour:
Sat. Aug 16 – end of March 2026 – Continuous closure and detour:
The Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard/Coliseum Drive entrance to I-16 eastbound will be closed to semi-truck traffic through early spring 2026. Semi-trucks will follow the detour route to eastbound Emery Highway, and southbound Ocmulgee East Boulevard to access I-16 eastbound.
This shift will also restrict access to the I-16 eastbound exit ramp to Spring Street/Exit 1A. Traffic will be detoured past Spring Street to exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
I-75 northbound from just north of Hardeman Avenue to I-16 eastbound traffic will shift onto the new left lanes of 1-16 eastbound.
From this direction, drivers will have full access to exit as usual at Spring Street/ Exit 1A.
Roadside signage and lane striping will direct drivers through the new configurations. These two traffic shifts are needed to allow crews to construct pedestrian bridges over the Ocmulgee River.
Spring Street's far right lane at the I-16 westbound on-ramp as well as the right-hand on-ramp to I-16 westbound are both closed for several months; the Spring Street on-ramp to I-16 westbound has been relocated to the far left lane.
Construction Activities for August 15-22, weather and on-site conditions permitting:
Phases 4 and 5: from I-16 westbound/I-75 to Walnut Creek
Continue construction of bridge substructures and superstructures for I-16 Spring Street entrance and exit ramps.
Continue construction of new Second Street bridge substructure.
Continue construction of one new I-16 westbound bridge substructure and two superstructures.
Continue construction of two new I-16 eastbound bridge substructures
Pouring bridge deck spans and edge beams on new I-16 eastbound bridge superstructure.
Continue construction of two new I-16 westbound entrance ramps.
Continue demolition of bridge ramp to I-16 eastbound.
Continue construction of new MSE (retaining) walls along I-75 northbound and southbound and other walls throughout the project.
Installing pipe and other drainage structures throughout the project area.
Phase 2 and 3: I-75 from Hardeman Avenue to I-16 eastbound
Continue installation of Riverside Bridge lighting.
Continue installation of the Walnut Street lighting and guardrail over I-75.
Construction of concrete sound and visual walls along I-75 northbound and southbound continues.
Phase 1: I-16 from the I-16/ I-75 split to the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard exit.
Substantially complete
The I-16/I-75 Interchange Improvement Project is a $500 million safety and mobility megaproj massive scope to widen and reconstruct I-16, I-75 and their interchange in Macon-Bibb. This project is being delivered in seven design and construction phases that will continue through 2030. When complete, new CD lanes, additional interstate lanes, new interstate on-and off-ramps, upgrades to 11 bridges, new walls, upgraded drainage systems, etc. will deliver safer and improved mobility for Macon-Bibb’s local commuters and businesses, regional travelers and commercial freight from the Georgia southern coast to destinations within the state and throughout the U.S.
