In a news release last week, the Georgia Department of Transportation announced it closed Monday the on and off HOV ramps on Interstate 85 at Lindbergh Drive in Buckhead for six months as the I-85/Ga. 400 interchange project moves forward.

Originally, the ramps were scheduled to be closed Tuesday, but rainy weather delayed it. Then, the department decided, in order to make it easier for Falcons fans to get to the Lindbergh MARTA station on Sunday en route to the Georgia Dome for the NFC Championship Game, the ramps would not be closed until Monday at 9 p.m.

The closures will be in place for up to six months to construct a bridge foundation and are necessary as part of the 85/400 interchange project. The ramps are scheduled to reopen by July 21. Motorists should utilize Cheshire Bridge Road to access the Lindbergh MARTA Station.

The project reconstructs the interchange of Ga. 400 and I-85 by providing connector ramps from 400 southbound to I-85 northbound and from I-85 southbound to 400 northbound. As part of the project, a pedestrian trail will be constructed from Cheshire Bridge Road to Lenox Road, including a bridge across the North Fork Peachtree Creek.

As the project progresses, lane closures on I-85 and Ga. 400,  as well as on the arterial roadways in the area including Buford Highway, Cheshire Bridge Road and Sidney Marcus Boulevard should be expected, particularly in the over-night hours.

This is a design-build project and is funded entirely from State Road and Tollway Authority toll revenue bonds. Archer Western Contractors Ltd. is the contractor and the cost of the project is $21.5 million. The contract completion date is Dec. 31 and it is currently on schedule.

Information: visit www.dot.ga.gov.