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The public is invited to get information and give input on a proposed widening project on Interstate-85 in Gwinnett County.

Georgia Department of Transportation officials say the plan calls for reconstructing nearly 13 miles of I-85 near I-985, just north of Georgia Route 211, and just over 11 miles of I-85 from Georgia Route 211 to just north of U.S. 129.

“[It will create] what is now four lanes across to six lanes across,” GDOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale said. “So three lanes in each direction, winding to the inside, and that saves us some time and money because it does delete that right-of-way phase that’s necessary when you widen to the outside.”

The construction is expected to improve traffic flow in Barrow, Gwinnett and Jackson counties.

“It is largely because I-85 in this area is well beyond capacity and so we need to address current growth, we need to address current congestion and future growth in the area,” said Dale.

The goal is to have the entire project finished by 2025.

Tuesday’s meeting is at Mill Creek High School at 4 p.m. A second meeting is set for Thursday, also at 4 p.m., at the Braselton Community Room in downtown Braselton.

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