DOT Announces Work On I-85 in Franklin Co.

Work on Interstate 85 in Franklin County this week will cause some lane closures.

Contractors with the Georgia Department of Transportation will install new Weigh–in-Motion equipment on Interstate 85 near Lavonia this week.

As a result, crews will close the right hand lane on I-85 approaching the northbound weigh station today through Monday, December 12, 2016 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Lane closures approaching the southbound weigh station will begin next week through December 17 and will be conducted nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The DOT says contractors will cut into the roadway to install scale components and then repave with concrete.

According to the DOT, the nightly lane closures are necessary to complete upgrades to weigh stations statewide.

DOT officials say current equipment at weigh stations require motorists to exit the interstate, with Weigh-in-Motion, trucks can continue along the mainline.

Also, the project includes a “virtual” component that allows law enforcement to monitor truck weights as they pass over the scales.

Brooks-Berry-Haynie & Associates Incorporated of Mableton, Georgia was awarded the $25.3 million project in July 2014.

The completion date for the statewide project is March 2017, weather-permitting.