North Bryan County bracing for major traffic changes along US 280

Latrice Williams, Savannah Morning News
·2 min read
The rendering shows where traffic improvements will take place near the megasite.
The rendering shows where traffic improvements will take place near the megasite.

The Georgia Department of Transportation predicts the annual traffic flow on US 280 will increase to more than 34,000 in 2025. In 2045, that number will grow to 55,050.

These figures represent a more than 200% uptick in traffic within a year, and more than 400% within the next two decades primarily because of the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America coming on line, beginning in 2025 or earlier.

The next two years will see significant infrastructure investments on the north end of Bryan County, which was listed as the fastest growing county in the state in the 2020 Census. The perfect storm of a population boom and HMGMA prompted GDOT to implement road improvements outside the megasite near Aspen Road and Dillon Drive.

US 280 will go from two to five lanes heading south from I-16 to a factory entrance road. Future projects include five roundabouts along US 280, as well as east- and west-bound I-16 terminals. Construction of the frontage road is slated to begin this spring and will see substantial completion by the end of 2025. GDOT predicts there will be 3,550 motorists on the frontage road in 2025.

An Aspen Lane resident waits to pull out onto US 280 in Ellabell, Georgia.
An Aspen Lane resident waits to pull out onto US 280 in Ellabell, Georgia.

More: GDOT study proposes more than $1 billion in road improvements near megasite, area counties

With the future infrastructure that is coming, more traffic congestion is imminent, although “daytime period” road closures are not allowed, according to Kyle Collins, communications and marketing strategist for GDOT. “Once work begins, drivers can expect temporary nighttime lane closures throughout the construction process,” said Collins. “Georgia DOT and the Design-Build team will evaluate traffic control throughout to ensure things flow as well as possible."

Lane interruptions may occur 7 p.m. - 5 a.m. Monday-Friday.

Weekend allowances go as follows:

  • 7 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday

  • 6 p.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Sunday

  • 6 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday

Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Georgia Dept of Transportation to expand US 280 through Bryan County to five lanes