Georgia DOT has officially started the procurement process for the I-75 at Bethlehem Road exit. The state plans to hire a contractor by the end of 2025. The project will build a new interstate exit between McDonough and Locust Grove.
I-75 at Bethlehem Road Exit Procurement
Georgia DOT published the Public Notice Advertisement (PNA) on February 5, 2025. This includes GDOT’s anticipated schedule for the Bethlehem Road exit procurement:
- March 2025 – Industry Forum & Contractor Meetings
- April 2, 2025 – GDOT issues Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
- May 8, 2025 – RFQ submission deadline
- June 2, 2025 – GDOT announces project finalists
- June 5, 2025 – GDOT issues Request for Proposals (RFP) to finalists
- October 2, 2025 – RFP submission deadline
- October 24, 2025 – GDOT letting (contract award)
The above schedule may change or have adjustments if needed.
The state DOT is using a design-build process for the project. This means they will hire a project team involving both a design firm and general contractor. The team will then finalize the project’s design before construction begins. More information about design-build projects is on the state DOT website.
The selected design-build team will coordinate the project with Georgia DOT and the SR 42 bridge replacement. Procurement for the bridge replacement project is also underway this year; it too is a design-build contract.
About the Project
Georgia DOT shared the project’s concept layout during an open house in spring 2023. Some key elements of the design include the following:
- A new four-lane road located south of the existing Bethlehem Road, between Greenwood Industrial and SR 42,
- On- and off-ramps from I-75 to new Bethlehem Road,
- four roundabouts, to include new Bethlehem Road at Greenwood, new Bethlehem Road at SR 42, and I-75 north & south off-ramps, and
- three new bridges, to include Bethlehem Road over I-75, Bethlehem Road over Bethlehem Bottoms Creek, and I-75 Northbound off-ramp.
Henry County formally began to study the idea for a new interstate exit in 2014. The federal government gave its approval in 2018. Georgia DOT assumed the lead to build the new exit around 2020-21. Construction on the new exit could begin as early as 2026. It should be complete around 2029-2030.
The latest cost estimate for the project has $232 million for construction, and $261 million in total costs. Henry County contributed $5 million and Locust Grove contributed $1 million towards its construction. The remainder is state and federal funds.
Featured image shows the I-75 at Bethlehem Road concept. Georgia DOT photo.
