Georgia Department of Transportation was a southern regional winner in the 2017 America’s Transportation Awards, a national competition that recognizes excellence in transportation projects that improve travel safety, reduce roadway congestion and provide more travel options to consumers.
 
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials presented the awards on August 15 at the Southern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials annual meeting in Norfolk, Va.
 
Georgia DOT won in the Best Use of Technology & Innovation large project category for the I-75 South Metro Express Lanes, Georgia’s first reversible dynamically-tolled lanes project. The lanes run 12 miles along I-75 from SR 155 (McDonough Road) in Henry County north to SR 138 (Stockbridge Highway) in Clayton County. Weekday mornings they operate for northbound travel toward Atlanta and reverse for southbound travel in the evening. The lanes opened to traffic in January 2017 and handled a million trips in the first six months of operation.
 
“I am proud to accept this award on behalf of the Georgia Department of Transportation and the State Road and Tollway Authority, our transportation partner who handles tolling operations,” Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. said. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the results of these innovative reversible lanes. The improved traffic flow, additional travel options and more reliable trip times make them popular with commuters - not to mention the job creation and economic benefits they bring to the region.”
 
The America’s Transportation Awards competition is sponsored by AASHTO, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges from within the transportation industry.
 
"Every project nominated in this competition represents the hard work and dedication of state DOTs across the country to meet the transportation needs of the communities we serve," said AASHTO President David Bernhardt. "For 10 consecutive years, the America's Transportation Awards have given state DOTs the recognition they deserve for providing the essential connections that keep people, goods and our economy moving forward."
 
I-75 South Metro Express Lanes, Georgia’s second completed Express Lanes project, is part of the Georgia Express Lanes system. Six others are under construction or being planned to create a connected network of mobility options for travel in Georgia.