|
|
 |
Interstate 475 Georgia
A 14-mile-long bypass of Macon, Interstate 475 is the preferred route around the Macon area, with six continuous lanes between both termini. Most travelers en route to southern Georgia and Florida take the more direct route of Interstate 475 rather than Interstate 75. Interstate 75 enters the downtown area, and it reduces to four lanes through the Macon. Interstate 475 also retains a 65 mph speed limit, with a newly resurfaced asphalt surface on its entire length.
The Interstate 475 designation was originally slated to be used in metropolitan Atlanta as a north-south freeway situated east of the Interstate 75/85 central freeway. The southern and northern segments of Interstate 475 were constructed as Interstate 675 and Georgia 400, respectively. The central segment was not constructed due to community opposition. Similar protests also resulted in the cancellation of east-west Interstate 420 and east-west Interstate 485 in Atlanta.
| Interstate 475 North
|
|---|
| The first interchange of the Macon Bypass is Exit 3 with U.S. 80 and Georgia 22 (Eisenhower Parkway). The two highways overlap 85 miles from the Alabama state line at Columbus eastward to Macon. U.S. 80 itself is part of the Meridian, Mississippi to Savannah, Georgia High Priority Corridor 6. Photo taken 12/15/01.
|
| Interstate 475 northbound at the Exit 3 diamond interchange with U.S. 80 and Georgia 22. The two highways travel 19 miles westward to U.S. 341 and the control point of Roberta (pop. 808). The corridor between Macon and Columbus is still vastly underdeveloped. Photo taken 12/15/01.
|
| Next in line for Interstate 475 northbound is the Exit 5 diamond interchange at Georgia 74 (Thomaston Road & Mercer University Drive). Georgia 74 composes a lengthy state highway between Fairburn outside of Atlanta southeastward to downtown Macon. Photo taken 12/15/01.
|
| Traffic bound for Mercer University Drive and Thomaston Road departs Interstate 475 northbound at this sign bridge. Georgia 74 travels 39 miles westward from the city of Macon to the Upson County seat of Thomaston (pop. 9,411). Photo taken 12/15/01.
|
| The last interchange within Bibb County along Interstate 475 northbound is that of Exit 9 with Zebulon Road. Zebulon Road begins at nearby U.S. 41 & Georgia 19 (Forsyth Road) near near Wesleyan College. In conjunction with Lamar Road to the west, Zebulon connects U.S. 41 and Georgia 74. Otherwise Zebulon Road departs the metropolitan area westward into rural Monroe County. Photo taken 12/15/01.
|
| The final Interstate 475 interchange is that of Exit 15. This partial cloverleaf interchange serves the Bolingbroke community via U.S. 41 (Rivoli Road). Interstate 475 narrows from six to four lanes at U.S. 41 do to the close proximity to Interstate 75. Photo taken 12/15/01.
|
|
|
|
| Interstate 475 turns northward in preparation for the partial "Y" interchange with Interstate 75. There is no direct access between the west Macon bypass and Interstate 75 southbound. However, via U.S. 41 southbound and Pate Road, motorists can access the Macon bound highway at Exit 175. Photo taken 12/15/01.
|
| One half mile of Interstate 475 remains north of the Exit 15 off-ramp to Rivoli Road. Ahead the west Macon bypass returns to Interstate 75 northbound en route to Atlanta. U.S. 41 shadows Interstate 75 to the west between downtown Macon and Forsyth (pop. 3,776). Photo taken 12/15/01.
|
| The northern conclusion of Interstate 475 is a left-hand merge onto Interstate 75 northbound. As Interstate 475 is regarded as the main through route, Interstate 75 in effect merges onto Interstate 475. Four miles ahead is the next interchange (Exit 171 at Rumble Road). Photo taken 12/15/01.
|
| A second Interstate 475 end shield is posted at the merge onto Interstate 75. Downtown Atlanta resides 72 miles north along the Interstate 75 corridor. Photo taken 12/15/01.
| | Interstate 475 South
|
|---|
| No photos at this time.
| | Scenes Related to Interstate 475
|
|---|
| Faded Interstate 475 Georgia shield along Georgia 74 (Mercer University Drive) westbound at the Exit 5 interchange. All mainline Interstate 475 shields are newer neutered shields. Photo taken 12/15/01.
|
| Interstate 75 & 475 shield assembly on Rivoli Road (U.S. 41) at the northbound on-ramp to Interstate 75. This partial cloverleaf interchange is folded due to the the adjacent railroad line. The overpasses in the background are that of Interstate 475. Photo taken 12/15/01.
|
Page Updated January 4, 2004.
|
|
 |
|
