Ridgewalk Interchange Could Open By Thanksgiving

The long-awaited Ridgewalk interchange could be open as early as Thanksgiving.

The Georgia Department of Transporation’s project manager updated city officials on the project earlier this week and outlined the next phase of the project.

“Based on our current schedule, our goal is to be completed and have the new ramps open by Thanksgiving,” Marietta-based C.W. Matthews Project Manager Tony Bradley said.  

Crews are finalizing work to tie in the southern part of the new bridge over I-575. The remaining portion of concrete paving for the entrance and exit ramps are slated to be completed today.

Bradley added the final topping on the interstate was finished late Wednesday and the intermediate paving on Ridgewalk Parkway will occur during the week of Oct. 29. Crews will shift the two current travel lanes on the northern part of the bridge to the southern portion to complete the paving. 

After traffic is shifted, the crews will then start on the remaining curb, gutter, sidewalk drainage and fencing work along the the north side of Ridgewalk Parkway. 

The project includes building a diamond-shaped interchange and replacing the existing Rope Mill Road bridge over the interstate, realigning Rope Mill Road to intersect with Ridgewalk Parkway and installing auxiliary lanes between the new interchange and Towne Lake Parkway. 

City officials expect the new interchange to provide much-needed traffic relief on Towne Lake Parkway and Sixes Road.

Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques said the city is waiting on final word of completion from GDOT before they move ahead with scheduling a ribbon cutting. He noted the state agendy said they will give the city a two-week notice on the exact date of completion.

GDOT awarded a $17.1 million contract to C.W. Matthews to perform the work with a deadline to complete the project by Dec. 31, 2012.