GEORGIA DOT ISSUES FINAL RFP FOR WEST BY NORTHWEST MANAGED LANES PROJECT

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Transportation today issues the final Request for Proposals (RFP) for the West by Northwest project, a Public Private Partnership (P3) that will deliver a new managed lanes system to Interstates 75 and 575 in Cobb and Cherokee Counties.

"I'm excited," State Transportation Board P3 Committee Chair Brandon Beach said. "I think it is an historic day for Georgia and for our P3 Program to be putting out the official RFP on the Northwest Corridor and committing to execute the Master Developer agreement on the Multi Modal Passenger Terminal (MMPT) in downtown Atlanta. Our P3 Program is vibrant and continuing to make huge strides in coordinating these mega-projects with our partner agencies," concluded Beach.

The project includes the addition of approximately 18miles of new lanes along I-75 (from Akers Mill Road to just north of Hickory Grove Road) and approximately 11 miles along I-575 (from I-75 to Sixes Road). Two new managed lanes are proposed along the West side of I-75 between I-285 and I-575. A single reversible lane is proposed along both I-75 and I-575 north of the I-75/I-575 interchange.

"This is a tremendous milestone for the Georgia DOT and for the people who will ultimately benefit from the new transportation solution this project will deliver," said P3 Director Gerald Ross. "We're seeing two very new concepts come together with this project. First, we are utilizing a public private partnership that allows us to deliver a project our state is not able to deliver on its own with the financial realities we face today. Second, the Georgia Express managed lanes it will create bring an entirely new solution, one that will improve mobility and offer more reliable trip times in this vital commuter corridor."

Three teams have qualified to submit responses to the RFP. Procurement for the project began in February, 2010 with the issuance of a Request for Qualifications. Since that time, Georgia DOT staff has worked with the proposers to develop an RFP that will address the many issues surrounding a complex public private partnership. Georgia DOT has also worked closely with partner agencies such as the State Road & Tollway Authority and the Georgia State Financing & Investment Commission.

The RFP requires proposers to submit responses by February 3, 2012. Once evaluations are complete and a partner is selected, the project will work through the financial requirements needed to finalize the contract and prepare for construction. The project is expected to begin construction in spring of 2013 with the targeted opening date of the fall of 2016.

Information on Georgia's P3 program is available on Georgia DOT's P3 section of its website, located at www.georgiaP3.com. Information on the West by Northwest Project, including the RFQ, can be accessed directly at www.georgiaP3.com/WNW.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia's economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. Georgia is the 6th fastest growing state in the nation, yet 49th in per capita spending on transportation.

Additional transportation revenues are imperative to grow and sustain Georgia's economic vitality and quality of life through the 21st Century. For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our Web site (www.dot.ga.gov). Follow the Departmenton Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaDOT) and Twitter(http://twitter.com/gadeptoftrans).