Gov. Brian Kemp says Georgia should invest $1.8 billion to relieve one of metro Atlanta’s most notorious traffic choke points by expanding toll express lanes on Interstate 75 in the southern suburbs. The proposal would add a lane in each direction along a heavily congested stretch in Henry and Clayton counties, where 12 miles of reversible express lanes already operate, and Kemp argues the change could boost traffic throughput on I-75 by as much as 70% as congestion surges back after the pandemic-era lull.

Kemp pitched the plan during the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs & Issues event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as part of a broader request for $2.4 billion in additional infrastructure spending, funded through an amendment to the current year’s budget using Georgia’s surplus cash. The package also includes $200 million to continue upgrades along Georgia 316, $250 million for local road improvements, $100 million aimed at bridges and rural communities, and $35 million to extend natural gas lines in rural areas.