Making It Easier, Faster, and Safer to Evacuate in the Event of a Severe Storm
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Hurricane season is here which may require emergency evacuation. This is what you should know in the event of a mandatory evacuation from Coastal Georgia. The I-16 eastbound lanes will become contraflow lanes, which means all I-16 lanes only support westbound traffic movement from Savannah to U.S. 441 in Dublin, a distance of 125 miles. When an evacuation is ordered, contraflow lanes remain in place until the governor of Georgia allows residents to return to their homes.
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Two, one-lane median “crossovers” are located east of I-95 so drivers leaving the surrounding areas of Savannah can transition from the normal I-16 westbound lanes into repurposed eastbound or contraflow lanes. At these points, no eastbound I-16 traffic is allowed. All eastbound ramps on I-16 will be closed using the “contraflow gates” seen all along I-16. A third median crossover between Dublin and Macon redirects westbound traffic from the normal eastbound lanes back on to the intended traditional divided highway configuration. From that point westward, I-16 functions normally to and from Macon with both eastbound and westbound traffic.
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As part of the 16@95 Improvement Projects, the two existing one-lane emergency median crossovers will be replaced with a two-lane, emergency-median crossover on I-16 between I-95 and Dean Forest Road. The proposed third mainline travel lanes will be constructed on I-16 eastbound and westbound, and the existing crossovers will remain in use as they currently exist. Once the widening of I-16 and installation of the new crossover is complete, the existing single-lane crossovers will be closed and removed. The new two-lane crossover, in conjunction with six lanes instead of the current four, will allow for a safe and efficient contraflow of traffic along I-16 in the event of a declared emergency evacuation. The two-lane crossover will improve speed variation, logistics, decrease delay/congestion, and better prepare the region for an evacuation, which is one of the most demanding set of circumstances regarding transportation operations and management. If an emergency is declared and contraflow lanes are enacted while construction is still ongoing, all four lanes will be open so traffic may evacuate using the full capacity of I-16.
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Partner Spotlight: Chatham Emergency Management Agency
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Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) is the clearinghouse of information for our Chatham County leaders. In the event of a declared emergency, CEMA may establish an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which provides a central location where local public safety, emergency response, and support agencies coordinate planning, preparedness, and response activities.
“CEMA is one, among many, partner agencies that work together to ensure that Chatham County is a disaster resilient community,” said CEMA Director, Dennis Jones. “It takes a team of dedicated, hard-working individuals to prepare for and respond to disasters and emergency events. Identifying efficient evacuation strategies and implementing stellar construction of critical infrastructure is one of the many ways that the Georgia Department of Transportation assists our community in continuously building resiliency.”
When a tropical storm is heading towards Chatham County, it is easy to get caught up in information from all directions! Therefore, CEMA prepares concise, easy-to-understand graphic updates to provide the community with the most critical information you need to know, such as the graphic above, which was prepared recently for Tropical Storm Elsa. Be sure to follow CEMA on Facebook and Twitter to stay informed. You can also visit www.ChathamEmergency.org to sign up for text alerts, find resources on hurricane preparedness, and more!
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The 16@95 Improvement Projects team is available to speak to community groups and organizations. To request a presentation, please send us a speaker request form. Thank you!
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Disadvantaged Business
Enterprises (DBE) Opportunities
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Savannah Mobility Contractors (SMC) is committed to maximizing opportunities for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs). For more information and/or to receive DBE webinar invitations, please contact Romaine Lewis, DBE manager, at (973) 960-6857 or via email at rlewis@savannahmobilitycontractors.com.
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A birds eye view of the I-16/I-95 interchange
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Email: 1695improvements@dot.ga.gov
Project Hotline: (912) 480-9625
Georgia Department of Transportation Project Office:
20 Martin Court
Savannah, GA 31419
Project Website: https://majormobilityga.com/projects/i1695improvements/
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