The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is set to provide a $184m grant for the construction of additional and dedicated express lanes on State Route (SR) 400 in Atlanta.

USDOT’s proposed Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant will be offered to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

The grant will be used to construct nearly 17 miles of priced two-lane, bidirectional managed lanes along SR 400 from I-285 to McGinnis Ferry Road in Fulton County.

Additionally, one managed lane will be built in each direction from McGinnis Ferry Road north to McFarland Parkway in Forsyth County.

“The SR 400 express lanes project will connect with the SR 400 and I-285 Interchange Reconstruction project in Fulton and DeKalb Counties through eight miles of collector-distributor lanes.”

USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao said: “The new express lanes on SR 400 will enhance safety and decrease congestion and travel times for everyone.”

The SR 400 express lanes project will connect with the SR 400 and I-285 Interchange Reconstruction project in Fulton and DeKalb Counties through eight miles of collector-distributor lanes.

There are nine proposed access points for the express lanes, including three full interchanges, and six locations with slip lanes.

The project area includes 22 bridges, approximately half of which will be replaced or widened.

The SR 400 project has been included in GDOT’s Major Mobility Investment Programme (MMIP), which addresses congestion issues.

GDOT anticipates that it would reduce delay by over 19,000 hours per day along the SR 400 corridor by 2030.

GDOT commissioner Russell McMurry said: “The SR 400 express lanes project will play a critical role in helping improve mobility in a corridor that is vital to connecting people, jobs, and freight.”