The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the State Road and Tollway Authority have selected Top End Mobility Group (TEMG) consortium, led by Ferrovial, to design, finance, build, operate, and maintain Phase 1 of the I-285 East Express Lanes project in Atlanta, US.
The construction value of this initial phase is expected to reach $8.9bn.
TEMG was identified as the "Apparent Best Value Proposer" following a competitive procurement process.
The Georgia State Transportation Board confirmed the decision, allowing TEMG to proceed as the Phase 1 developer and work on subsequent phases under a Comprehensive Development Agreement.
Commercial close for the project is expected in December 2026, with financial close planned for October 2027.
Construction of Phase 1 is forecast to commence in late 2027, with substantial completion anticipated by 2034.
The final phases of the I-285 East Express Lanes are slated for completion by 2041.
Under the public-private partnership agreement for Phase 1, TEMG will manage the new lanes for 50 years using private financing and toll revenues rather than public funds.
Phase 1 will involve the construction of approximately 21 miles of new, barrier-separated express lanes along I-285, including key connections to I-85 and SR 400.
Upon completion of all phases, the project is expected to provide around 37.5 miles of express lanes in each direction, improving connectivity across Fulton and DeKalb counties. The existing general-purpose lanes will remain, while the express lanes will operate with dynamic toll pricing based on congestion levels.
I-285 currently carries around 250,000 vehicles a day and experiences congestion for an average of eight hours daily.
Projections indicate traffic could rise by 25% over the next 15 years.
The new express lanes are intended to offer drivers and transit operators another option, provide more reliable travel times, and alleviate pressure on existing lanes.
The TEMG consortium includes Ferrovial, Cintra Global, Tikehau Star Infra, TSI I-285, Ferrovial Construction-Webber 285 and AECOM Technical Services.
Ferrovial CEO Ignacio Madridejos said: “The I-285 East Express Lanes marks our first managed lanes project in Georgia, and an important milestone for Ferrovial in a state where we have been present for over a decade.
“We look forward to working alongside our public and private partners to deliver this project, seeking to enhance connectivity and create long-term value across Greater Atlanta.”
The Georgia Express Lanes programme began over 15 years ago and currently includes four systems around the Atlanta area, with more than 1.3 million Peach Pass transponders in use. The new I-285 express lanes will also use the Peach Pass system.
