Georgia DOT has approved construction to start on a new single-point urban interchange on I-20 in Conyers. The project’s construction is expected to be complete in 2028.
The interchange rebuild will be at I-20 and SR 20 / SR 138. It will be the third project of its kind in Georgia.
Single-Point Urban Interchange Conyers
Georgia DOT began planning work in 2013 to look at improving the I-20 at SR 20 interchange. The current six-lane bridge is inadequate for today’s traffic volumes. The state DOT considered two alternatives to improve the exit: a single-point urban interchange or a diverging diamond interchange. The state selected the single-point interchange as the preferred alternative because the DDI did not provide an acceptable level of service in the design year, 2046.
What is a single-point urban interchange?
A SPUI (pronounced SPOO-EE) allows traffic to flow through one traffic signal. By comparison, a conventional interstate exit has two signals. The signal is at the center of the overpass. The design accomplishes this feat with wide sweeping left-turns for motorists entering or exiting the interstate.
The traffic signal has three phases. They are through traffic, motorists turning left to enter the interstate, and, finally, motorists turning left to exit the interstate.
There are presently two SPUIs in Georgia. They are at Georgia 400 and Lenox Road in Atlanta, and Sugarloaf Parkway at New Hope Road in Lawrenceville. More information about SPUIs is available on the Kentucky state website.
Editor’s note: an earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Conyers would be the second SPUI in Georgia. Thank you to the readers who shared with us about the SPUI in Lawrenceville. Therefore, Conyers will be the third in the state.
About the Project
The new single-point urban interchange in Conyers has several aspects to its design. First, the project will replace the existing bridge with a new wider structure. The new bridge will be more than three times the current bridge’s width — from 78’ wide to 273′ 3”.
Right now, the bridge has four through lanes and two left-hand turn lanes. The new bridge will have eight through lanes, four in each direction, and support for dual left-hand turn lanes onto I-20 from either direction. In addition, there will be a sidewalk on both sides of the bridge.
Another aspect of the project will be a new roundabout on Dogwood Drive. What’s unique about this roundabout is it will provide an access ramp from Dogwood Drive to I-20 West. Motorists on Dogwood can enter the interstate towards Atlanta without having to maneuver up the hill and turn onto Georgia 20. To support this access ramp, the I-20 West offramp will have a new bridge. This set-up, with a bridge and two ramps crossing over each other, is referred to as a ramp braid.
Finally, the project will make associated widening improvements on Georgia 20 / 138 between Dogwood Drive and the Conyers Crossing shopping plaza.
Construction
Georgia DOT accepted construction bids in June 2024 for the Conyers SPUI. They received four bids for the project. Pittman Construction Company of Conyers, GA submitted the low bid. Their bid was valued at $78,719,083.34.
The state announced the project’s contract award on Friday, July 5. Construction should begin this fall. The contract completion date is June 30, 2028.
When considering construction costs as well as engineering and right of way expenses, the total project budget is about $103.3 million. Federal and state funds are paying for the project.
MHF News is a local news business covering Henry County, GA and significant transportation projects in surrounding counties. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates.
Featured image shows an aerial view of a single-point urban interchange in Kentucky. Kentucky photo.
Be the first to comment