ATLANTA – Marietta-based C.W. Matthews Contracting has been named the “apparent” winner of a state contract for the second phase of the widening of Interstate 85 from Braselton northeast into Jackson County.
The project, which will widen the highway in both directions from two lanes to three, is part of the ambitious $11 billion Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) then-Gov. Nathan Deal announced in 2016 shortly after the General Assembly passed legislation earmarking $950 million a year for transportation improvements across Georgia.
The first phase of the widening project, stretching from Hamilton Mill Road in Gwinnett County to Braselton, is on target to open to traffic this summer.
C.W. Matthews got the nod on the second phase of the project after submitting a bid of $94.6 million. The DOT selected C.W. Matthews over two competitors using a “best-value” procurement method, which takes into account both the price and technical proposals.
“C.W. Matthews has developed a strong history of working with the department,” said Andrew Hoenig, the DOT’s design-build program manager. “We are looking forward to working with them on the delivery of the I-85 widening Phase 2 project.”
Final design of the project is expected to begin late this year, with construction due to begin next year. The project is expected to open to traffic in 2025, four years ahead of the original schedule.
The DOT decided last year to speed up the timetable for the I-85 widening and another MMIP project to build truck-only lanes along northbound I-75 from north of Macon to McDonough to allow for better competition among construction bidders and permit better maintenance of traffic during construction.
At the same time, the agency delayed the scheduled addition of toll lanes along the Top End of I-285 and Georgia 400.
The I-85 phase two contract will be officially awarded after the DOT verifies the bid is in order.