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DOT reveals new images of Ga. 400 and I-285 project

Channel 2 Action News got exclusive new details on the massive state Department of Transportation project to overhaul traffic between Georgia 400 and Interstate 285.
Channel 2’s Audrey Washington talked to a DOT official who revealed new still images of the project, and the changes that will save taxpayers millions of dollars.
The Department of Transportation official told Washington many teams submitted proposals for the project and the department made its decision based on a weighted score with 80 percent being the cost of the project and 20 percent being technical capabilities.

ATLANTA — The project was awarded to North Perimeter Contractors, which submitted a bid around $400 million less than the $1.1 billion projected cost.

"Their project came in at $679 million, which is a huge savings to taxpayers. And a lot of that cost has to do with the private finance capabilities," DOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale said.
Dale said the money saved will go to several infrastructure repairs throughout the state.
The project is expected to begin late next year with a completion date of mid-2020.
The DOT said when the project begins, it will also implement a plan to ease traffic during the construction process.
“We know in the long run this project is going to save drivers about eight hours a year and about 20,000 hours a day in congestion relief,” Dale said.