Fines going up, speed limit goes down along Macon interstates

Drivers will have to back off the accelerator when coming through Macon in the coming months.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has erected new 55 mph speed limit signs along the work zone for the new Interstate 75/16 interchange under construction in several phases.

The $500 million dollar expansion will widen and reconstruct highway lanes on I-75 from Hardeman Avenue to Pierce Avenue and on I-16 from I-75 to Walnut Creek, just east of Coliseum Drive.

Not only is the speed limit decreasing, but speeding fines in the work zone will increase with a $100 minimum for a citation between Eisenhower Parkway and Walnut Creek.

Upgrades are planned to 11 bridges along the route.

Motorists should use caution as construction vehicles will be entering and exiting the highway.

Lane shifts already are in place on the I-75 North exit ramp to I-16 east.

GDOT has been working with the Macon-Bibb County Enhancement Authority in the Pleasant Hill community, which was split apart decades ago by the construction of I-75.

A childhood home of Little Richard Penniman was relocated onto the west side of I-75 and a park is planned on the east side.

As the project progresses, look for lane shifts, orange barrels and cones directing vehicles through the changing lane patterns on the busy highway.

Since 1973, 59 GDOT workers have died of work zone injuries.

This story was originally published June 21, 2017 at 1:38 PM with the headline "Fines going up, speed limit goes down along Macon interstates."