Phase 1 Survey of the Proposed Improvements I-75 from SR 155 to SR 138 Henry County, Georgia

The proposed projects involve the addition of one lane within the existing median for both southbound and northbound 1-75 in Henry County making the existing six-lane roadway an eight-lane through facility. The section proposed would not preclude the additional lanes from being "managed" by a HOV/HOT type system. The proposed projects would begin at the 1-75 bridge over SR 155 and would end approximately 600 feet north of the 1-75 southbound off ramp to SR 138 (Stockbridge Hwy) just at the Henry/Clayton County line, for a total length of 12.24 miles. The limits of the projects were determined from the logical expansion of the existing facility as originally envisioned to transition from a rural section to an urban section of interstate with a median barrier. The proposed pavement types would match existing asphalt and concrete sections of the corridor and provide paved inside shoulders. Existing guardrail and overhead signs along the corridor would be removed and replaced as necessary along with construction of sound barriers as determined by noise studies. The proposed projects would replace the existing Walt Stephens Road (CR 660) bridge over I75. The existing bridge (Structure ID 151-0063-0) is 208 feet long and 34.8 feet wide. The sufficiency rating is 61.47. The proposed preliminary replacement bridge would be 380 feet long and 44 feet wide. The proposed typical section for Walt Stephens Road improvement involves the construction of two 12-foot travel lanes with 10-foot (6 feet paved) outside shoulders. The proposed alignment would be located approximately 50 feet north of the existing I-75/Walt Stephens intersection (parallel to the existing bridge). The tie-in points of the alignment with Red Oak Road is approximately 1,750 feet east of 1-75 and 1,650 feet west of 1-75 at Walt Stephens Road. The total length of the proposed roadway improvements is approximately 3,400 feet. The existing Walt Stephens Road bridge would be demolished once the new bridge is completed. The proposed projects would also widen the existing northbound 1-75 bridge over Flippen Road (CR 165). The existing bridge (Structure ID 151-0042-0) is 192 feet long and 135.1 feet wide. The sufficiency rating is 85.68. The proposed bridge widening would provide a 12-foot wide auxiliary lane and a 12-foot wide shoulder. Approximately 0.72 acre of additional right of way would be required from the north side of existing Walt Stephens Road and Red Oak Road to complete the proposed replacement of the existing Walt Stephens Road bridge. All other proposed improvements would be constructed within the existing right of way (ROW) limits of 1-75.