Release:

Lowndes County: all lanes of Exit 22 interchange are open

TIFTON – All lanes of US 41/State Route 7 (SR 7)/North Valdosta Road/Shiloh Road opened today with the completion of reconstruction of the Exit 22 interchange of Interstate 75.

“I appreciate the great job all the contractors and GDOT team did in making it a reality. It’s truly exciting and welcome news by all those motorists who travel the area often,” State Transportation Board Chairman Tim Golden said. Reconstructing Exit 22 and Exit 29/SR 122 at Hahira was a priority for Golden. He described the interchanges as vital entry points to Hahira and Valdosta.

A traffic engineering study has been completed for consideration of installation of a signal at the top of the Exit 22 northbound off ramp. The study is awaiting further action from the state traffic office. If installation is approved it is unlikely to happen before this summer, when Exit 29 is expected to be finished. The two exits are combined into one construction project.

Construction began in the summer of 2017, starting at Exit 22. Reconstruction is expected to improve traffic flow and capacity and improve visibility for drivers exiting the ramps. The old interchange bridges were built in 1960 and the design was outdated for current and projected traffic. The new bridges are wider with four lanes, turn lanes, paved shoulders and concrete medians. I-75 northbound ramps at Exit 22 were reconstructed as a conventional diamond design. Exit 29 ramps are also a conventional diamond design. 

The current scheduled completion date is August for the $49 million project. Reames and Son Construction Co. Inc. of Valdosta is the prime contractor and subcontractor Southern Concrete Construction Co. Inc. is the bridge builder.