New ramp opens on I-985 in Oakwood

OAKWOOD - The new ramp from State Route 13 to Interstate 985 in Oakwood is now open.

Georgia Department of Transportation officials opened the last new structure built for the Exit 17 interchange project just after 2 p.m. Thursday.

"Exit 17 is really the gateway into Gainesville State College and Lanier Technical College," satate DOT's Teri Pope said.

Pope said the ramp opening will keep motorists leaving the colleges away from Mundy Mill Road.

"It will also simplify access getting from the colleges to the interstate," she said.

Motorists have experienced occasional lane closures and traffic congestion for several years as the DOT has continued work on the Oakwood interchange.

The $75 million reconstruction project began three years ago and is being finished two months ahead of schedule.