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The I-16 One-Way User's Guide
Learn to use your lifeline to safety
I-16 One-Way Operation Directions
In order to provide more roadway capacity during hurricane
evacuations from the coast, portions of I-16 will operate entirely
in the Westbound direction, meaning both Eastbound lanes of I-16
will be converted into Westbound lanes. These are called
contra-flow lanes.
Two median crossovers have been constructed to allow motorists traveling in
the normal Westbound lanes to transition to the contra-flow lanes for
evacuation. One crossover is located just east of Chatham Parkway
(mile post 162) and the second one is located just west of
SR 307/Dean Forest Road (mile post 158). Care should be taken when
using the crossovers.
There is normal access to all surface roads from the regular Westbound
lanes. Additionally, for your convenience, the following exits will be
available to motorists choosing to travel in the contra-flow lanes (normal
Eastbound lanes converted to Westbound lanes).
- Exit 143 - SR 30 in Bryan County
- Exit 116 - US 301 in Bullock County
- Exit 104 - SR 23/121 in Candler County
- Exit 90 - US 1 in Emmanuel County
- Exit 71 - SR 15 in Treutlen County
- Exit 67 - SR 29 in Laurens County
- Exit 51 - US 441 in Laurens County
The Interstate can be re-entered only be using the regular Westbound
entrance ramps. However, in Savannah, there are several points where
the Eastbound exit ramps will be converted into Westbound entrance ramps.
These ramps will provide extra access into the contra-flow lanes.
The ramps are:
- West Broad Street
- SR 204/37th Street Connector
- Chatham Parkway
- SR 307 between Savannah and I-95
The one-way operation of I-16 will end west of Dublin.
To end the one-way operation, traffic west of US 441 will be merged
into a single lane in both the normal Westbound lanes and the
contra-flow lanes. A median crossover has been constructed to take
the traffic from the contra-flow lane back to the normal Westbound lanes.
See diagram below.
From the crossover point Westward, I-16 will function as normal into
Macon.
What you can Expect
With the improvements to the I-16 one-way plan, your trip will be
smoother than during the Hurricane Floyd evacuation in 1999. However:
- Evacuation speeds will still be slow
- The travel time for the trip from Savannah/the coast will be longer
than normal
- You can exit at numerous locations prior to the end of the one-way
section of I-16.
- You must have a full tank of gas
- You must be prepared by having all personal needs, medications,
water, snacks, etc.
- SR 21, US 80 and SR 204 are also evacuation routes from Chatham
County and should be considered.
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