Ferrovial Leads $8.9 Billion I-285 Express Lane Project

The massive infrastructure project brings new long-term procurement opportunities for local contractors in Georgia.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Construction

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Ferrovial and the Top End Mobility Group have finalized an $8.9 billion agreement with Georgia state agencies to construct express lanes on I-285. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Ferrovial will lead the Top End Mobility Group in a $8.9 billion public-private partnership to construct express lanes on I-285 in Georgia. The consortium has finalized an agreement with state agencies to begin the initial 21-mile phase of the project.

Why it matters

This $8.9 billion infrastructure investment creates significant procurement and contracting opportunities for local firms in the Greater Atlanta region. The public-private partnership model signals a major shift in how Georgia manages large-scale transportation capacity expansion.

The project encompasses a total of 37.5 miles of express lanes with an $8.9 billion construction value. The first phase covers 21 miles, representing a major portion of the state's total expressway expansion plan.

The players

Ferrovial

A multinational infrastructure operator specializing in transport sector public-private partnerships.

Georgia Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for planning, maintaining, and managing Georgia's highway and transit infrastructure.

State Road and Tollway Authority

A state-level authority tasked with financing and operating toll roads and express lanes in Georgia.

The details

The Top End Mobility Group, led by Ferrovial, entered into a partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation and the State Road and Tollway Authority to execute the work. This agreement dictates the delivery mechanics for the initial 21-mile segment of the 37.5-mile corridor. By securing this contract, the consortium takes responsibility for delivering the infrastructure while coordinating future project phases with state oversight.

Timeline

  1. October 15, 2026: Ferrovial and the Top End Mobility Group were selected to lead the highway project.

Market Landscape

This project represents a significant application of the state's public-private partnership framework for major transportation assets. It follows a growing trend of utilizing private consortia to manage long-term infrastructure delivery costs in high-traffic corridors.

Local contractors and service providers should monitor upcoming subcontracting opportunities related to the initial 21-mile phase of construction. Businesses operating in the I-285 corridor should prepare for long-term construction traffic disruptions and potential shifts in local logistics routes.

The takeaway

Large-scale state infrastructure projects require long-term planning for traffic and logistics impacts on nearby commercial properties. Operators should review the current project scope to assess if their supply chain or daily operations rely on segments within the 37.5-mile development area.

Further reading

Learn more about local sector trends in the Georgia Construction section.

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Do you believe public-private partnerships are the best way to handle large highway infrastructure projects?