Georgia DOT is inviting the general public to an upcoming open house for the I-75 at Bethlehem Road exit. The project plans to build a new interstate exit between McDonough and Locust Grove.
The public open house will be on Thursday, March 27, at the Locust Grove Recreation Center. Residents may stop by anytime between 4-7 pm. The Locust Grove Recreation Center is located at 10 Cleveland Street in Locust Grove.
Bethlehem Road Open House
The state DOT held the first open house about the Bethlehem Road exit in spring 2023. They are now holding a second open house. The open house will share the latest updates about the project. An online public comments period will follow from March 27 to April 10. A virtual open house is available here.
The Bethlehem Road exit involves more than just building a new interstate exit. The project will also build a new four-lane Bethlehem Road to the south of the existing road. This new four-lane road will extend between Greenwood Industrial / Lester Mill Road and Georgia 42. In addition, the project will build three new bridges. They include Bethlehem Road over I-75, Bethlehem Road over Bethlehem Bottoms and the I-75 North off-ramp. The last bridge is for a ramp braid with the future I-75 truck lanes. Finally, the concept layout has four roundabouts.
Georgia DOT recently started the procurement process to hire a design-build team for the project. They plan to select the project’s contractor in October 2025. Final design work will then occur in 2026. Construction is anticipated to start by the end of 2026. It will then be a three to four-year build.
The state’s latest cost estimate for the project totals $286 million. This is a new update from previously shared numbers. Henry County contributed $5 million and Locust Grove $1 million to the project. The rest is state and federal funding.
Featured image shows the Bethlehem Road exit concept layout. Georgia DOT photo.
