Georgia Adopted Public-Private Highway Construction Model
The state is partnering with private firms to build and operate tolled express lanes across the Atlanta region.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Remote Work
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Georgia has moved to a public-private partnership model to accelerate the construction of tolled express lanes. Officials aim to use this approach to alleviate chronic traffic congestion throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Why it matters
The model shifts highway construction financing to private developers who provide the capital and subsequently collect tolls for decades. This strategy allows the state to pursue major infrastructure projects while offloading upfront costs to the private sector.
The state is currently evaluating 3 finalists for the I-285 express lane project. These infrastructure efforts address the 75 hours that Atlanta drivers lose in traffic annually.
The players
Georgia Department of Transportation
This state agency is responsible for the planning, construction, and maintenance of the highway infrastructure projects across Georgia.
The details
Private developers are responsible for building the new lanes using their own capital, with the ability to recover these investments by collecting tolls for multiple decades. Construction is already underway on the Georgia 400 project as the state continues its search for a partner to manage the upcoming I-285 lanes.
Timeline
Construction on the Georgia 400 express lane project began in 2026.
The state will select a finalist for the I-285 project in October 2026.
Market Landscape
This transition to toll-funded, privately-managed lanes marks a strategic shift in state infrastructure development. It positions Georgia to modernize highway capacity by leveraging private capital rather than relying exclusively on public tax revenue streams.
Commuters in the Atlanta area should prepare for long-term tolling arrangements once these new express lanes become operational. These changes will directly influence daily travel costs for drivers choosing to use the new infrastructure to bypass traffic.
The takeaway
The move toward privately-funded highway expansion signals a permanent change in how major road projects are financed in the region. Residents should expect to navigate a future where premium traffic relief is tied to toll-based usage fees.
What happens next
State officials are scheduled to announce the winning developer for the I-285 express lane project in October 2026.
Further reading
For broader context on regional development and mobility, see the Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta.
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