The Georgia Department of Transportation is moving forward with the $4.6 billion State Route 400 Express Lanes project, a major infrastructure initiative designed to ease congestion along a critical corridor north of Atlanta.
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Major construction activity is expected to begin in April on the 16-mile stretch, which will extend from the North Springs Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority station to just north of McFarland Parkway. The project will introduce tolled express lanes aimed at improving traffic flow across Fulton County and Forsyth County.
The state selected SR400 Peach Partners—a consortium comprising Acciona Concessions, ACS Infrastructure, and Meridiam—to deliver the project under a 56-year public-private partnership (P3).
The consortium will be responsible for designing, building, financing and operating the corridor. Construction execution will be handled by a joint venture between FlatironDragados and Acciona Construction.
Public-private partnerships like this are increasingly being used by states to fund large-scale infrastructure projects while accelerating delivery timelines and reducing upfront public costs.
Work on the corridor is already underway, with crews resuming tree clearing in early March following initial site preparation activities that began in 2025. Current efforts include mobilizing equipment and establishing work zones along the route.
Heavier construction will ramp up this spring, with early phases focused on bridge construction and interchange upgrades across multiple segments. To limit traffic disruptions, work will take place during both daytime and overnight hours.
The express lanes are expected to open to the public in 2031.
The SR400 project reflects broader momentum in the U.S. infrastructure sector, particularly in highway and bridge construction. Despite volatility in some nonresidential markets, transportation infrastructure continues to drive growth.
Recent data from Dodge Construction Network showed a significant surge in highway and bridge construction starts late last year. While activity moderated at the beginning of 2026, overall performance remains stronger than the same period in the previous year.
The SR400 Express Lanes project is part of a larger effort to modernize transportation networks in fast-growing metropolitan regions like Atlanta. Population growth and increased commuter demand have placed significant pressure on existing infrastructure, prompting state agencies to pursue large-scale upgrades.
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By incorporating toll-based express lanes, the project aims to provide a reliable travel option for drivers willing to pay for reduced travel times, while also improving overall corridor efficiency.
The use of a long-term P3 model reflects a strategic shift in how major infrastructure projects are financed and managed in the U.S. These agreements allow private partners to take on significant responsibility for project delivery and maintenance, often leading to innovation in construction methods and lifecycle management.
Additionally, projects of this scale generate substantial economic impact, supporting jobs across construction, engineering and supply chains, while enhancing regional connectivity that can drive long-term economic growth.
As construction ramps up, the SR400 corridor will remain a key focus for transportation planners and contractors, serving as a model for future large-scale infrastructure partnerships across the country.
Originally reported by Sebastian Obando, Reporter in Construction Dive.
