To address the growing demand for efficient transportation in Gwinnett County, local leaders launched the I-85 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study — a collaborative effort examining future mobility, safety and economic development opportunities along an 18-mile stretch of Interstate 85 from I-285 to I-985.
The $800,000 study was led by Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. and jointly funded by Gwinnett County, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the Gateway85, Gwinnett Place and Sugarloaf Community Improvement Districts (CIDs). The ARC provided 50% of the funding, with each CID contributing 9.4%.
The PEL Study goes far beyond bus rapid transit. More than 1,000 concepts were reviewed and narrowed into a recommended package of projects designed to improve safety, reduce congestion and enhance connectivity. Key recommendations include:
- Two express lanes in each direction between I-285 and I-985, designed to accommodate transit options.
- Major interchange improvements at I-285, Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Pleasant Hill Road, Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, McGinnis Ferry Road and I-985.
- New grade-separated crossings to improve local access and add bicycle and pedestrian connections.
- Enhanced transit access to five regional hubs.
Looking ahead to 2050, traffic volumes on I-85 are expected to exceed 400,000 vehicles per day. If implemented, the recommended improvements could reduce traffic delays by 35%, cut crashes by 23% and generate an estimated $1.7 billion in benefits for every $1 billion invested.
Next Steps:
Gwinnett County is gathering and analyzing the study’s findings to identify priority projects and determine the most viable path forward. The results will help shape the future of mobility, land use and development along one of the region’s most critical transportation corridors.