With six overall lanes and few exits, I-475 is the preferred route around the Macon area for long distance travelers between the Midwest and Florida. Plans for the 15.83-mile-long bypass emerged the alignment for Interstate 75 between Forsyth and Perry shifted to incorporate a route through Macon. The freeway opened to traffic in 1967, four years before I-75 through Macon was completed.1,2

Interstate 475 Georgia Highway Guides

Interstate 475 was widened from four to six lanes from fall 1998 to early 2002 at cost of $46-million.3 Construction commencing in 2006 upgraded the single wye interchange at the south end of I-475 in conjunction with the addition of collector/distributor roadways linking both freeways with adjacent Hartley Bridge Road (Exit 155). The new northbound ramp to I-475 opened on July 9, 2009.4

The Interstate 475 designation was originally slated for metropolitan Atlanta along a north-south freeway running from Interstate 75 at Stockbridge to I-285 at Sandy Springs through Atlanta. The southern and northern segments of Interstate 475 were constructed as Interstate 675 and Georgia 400 respectively. The central segment, which later was rescinded into a loop from Downtown to Buckhead as I-485, was never constructed due to community opposition.

Interstate 475 was under construction simultaneously with Interstate 75 leading south from Bibb County to Georgia 49 at Byron in 1964.
Interstate 475 scenes
Long since replaced, this shield assembly preceded the diamond interchange along Georgia 74 (Thomaston Road) west at Interstate 475. Photo taken 12/15/01.
Shields that were posted along U.S. 41 & Georgia 19 (Dixie Highway) north at the loop ramp for I-475 north to I-75 north at Bolingbroke. Their replacement omits the trailblazer for I-75. Photo taken 12/15/01.

Sources:

  1. "10 events that shaped our region." Macon Telegraph, September 30, 2012.
  2. "I-475 Noise Concerns Residents DOT Hears Concerns About Interstate Widening Project." Macon Telegraph, April 15, 1998.
  3. "Interstates Overhaul Planned for Macon." Macon Telegraph, April 15, 1998.
  4. "I-75 exit to I-475 at Hartley Bridge opens." Macon Telegraph, July 10, 2009.


Photo Credits:

12/15/01 by AARoads

Connect with:
Interstate 75
U.S. 80

Page Updated 07-05-2017.