Interstate 985

Interstate 985 (I-985) is a 24.04-mile-long (38.69 km) auxiliary Interstate Highway in Northeast Georgia. It links the Atlanta metropolitan area to the city of Gainesville via Suwanee. I-985 is also known as the Sidney Lanier Parkway, after the musician and poet, and is also designated as unsigned State Route 419 (SR 419). The roadway was designated as I-985 in 1985. I-985 and SR 365 are concurrent for I-985's entire length, but only the I-985 signs are displayed. I-985 is also concurrent with US Route 23 (US 23) from exit 4 northward. I-985 is the highest-numbered spur route of a north–south Interstate and is second only to I-990, which serves the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area.

Interstate 985 marker

Interstate 985

Sidney Lanier Parkway
Gainesville Connector
I-985 highlighted in red
Route information
Auxiliary route of I-85
Maintained by GDOT
Length24.04 mi[1] (38.69 km)
Existed1985[2][3]–present
NHSEntire route
Major junctions
South end I-85 / SR 365 in Suwanee
Major intersections
North end US 23 / SR 365 in Gainesville
Location
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountiesGwinnett, Hall
Highway system
  • Georgia State Highway System
← SR 920→ US 1
← SR 417SR 419→ SR 421

Route description

Gwinnett County

In Gwinnett County, I-985 begins concurrent with SR 365 at an interchange with I-85 on the southeastern edge of Suwanee. The two highways head northeast to Buford, at an interchange with US 23/SR 20 (Buford Drive). Here, US 23 joins the concurrency of I-985/SR 365.[4]

Hall County
I-985 northbound end just past SR 369

The three routes head northeast into Hall County until they meet SR 347. In Flowery Branch, they meet Spout Springs Road at the Rankin Smith Interchange, named after the respective businessperson. Then, at exit 14 by Martin Road (HF Reed Industrial Pkwy). Then, they enter Oakwood and meet SR 53 (Mundy Mill Road), which does not have any return access from southbound I-985/US 23/SR 365. Just after, they enter Gainesville, where they intersect SR 13 (Atlanta Highway). Its interchange has access to both SR 13 and SR 53. Farther into Gainesville is SR 53 Connector (SR 53 Conn)/SR 60 (Candler Road/Queen City Parkway). In the main part of the city, US 129/US 129 Business (US 129 Bus)/SR 11 (Athens Highway) meet the concurrency. US 129/SR 11 head south toward Jefferson, while US 129 joins the concurrency through the rest of the city. Meanwhile, US 129 Bus/SR 11 head north into the heart of Gainesville. Nearly 2.5 miles (4.0 km) later US 129 departs to the north with SR 369 on Jesse Jewell Parkway.

An erroneous SR 23 shield previously posted along SR 369 (Jesse Jewell Parkway) east ahead of the diamond interchange with I-985

About 1.4 miles (2.3 km) later, I-985 ends, while US 23/SR 365 continue north.[4] Then, US 23 enters North Carolina

National Highway System

All of I-985 is included as part of the National Highway System,[5][6] a system of roadways important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility.

History

1920s

The roadway that would eventually become I-985 was built at least as early as 1919 as SR 13 from Buford to just northeast of Gainesville, along the same alignment as it runs today.[7] A reconfiguration of the SR 13 and SR 15 intersection in the Baldwin–Cornelia area caused the two routes to run concurrently between the two cities.[7][8] By the end of 1926, a small section in Gainesville was paved.[8][9] By 1929, US 23 was designated along the section from Buford to Gainesville.[9][10]

1930s–1940s

By 1932, US 23 was designated along the route all the way to Cornelia. In addition, the entire route, from Buford to the South Carolina state line, was paved.[10][11] The next month, US 23, and possibly SR 13 was extended south from Buford.[11][12] In 1935, after a long series of improvement projects, the section just south of Buford was paved.[13][14] Between 1946 and 1948, US 123 entered the state, being routed on a concurrency with SR 13 between Toccoa and the state line.[15][16] Prior to April 1949, US 123's concurrency with SR 13 was extended to Cornelia. During this time, US 441 was extended along SR 15, thus beginning a concurrency with SR 13.[16][17]

1950s–1970s

Between 1955 and 1957, a freeway (presumably I-85) was under construction from northeast Atlanta northeast to Suwannee, paralleling US 23/SR 13.[18][19] Between 1957 and 1960, I-85 was completed as far north as what is now known as SR 317, which is located just southwest of what is now the southern terminus of I-985/SR 365,[19][20] and, by 1966, it was completed northeast of Atlanta within the state.[21][22] In 1966, SR 365 was being projected as a freeway from its current southern terminus northeast and curving around the southeastern side of Gainesville.[22][23] In 1969, the whole freeway section, with the exception of the southernmost portion from I-85 to US 23/SR 20, was completed. Also, the entire completed section was designated as SR 365.[24][25] The next year, the southernmost segment was completed.[25][26] By 1979, the SR 365 freeway was listed as "under construction" from the northern terminus of the freeway northeast to US 23/US 441/SR 15 near Cornelia.[27][28]

1980s–1990s

Between 1980 and 1982, SR 365 was extended along the "under construction" section, but it was not a freeway. Also, US 23/SR 13 from Gainesville to Cornelia were moved onto this new highway.[29][30] By 1986, the entire freeway segment was designated as I-985.[2][3]

Exit list
CountyLocationmi[4]kmExitDestinationsNotes
GwinnettBuford0.00.0—

 I-85 south / SR 365 begins – Atlanta		Southern terminus of I-985 and SR 365; southern end of SR 365 concurrency; northbound exit and southbound entrance; I-85 exit 113
3.55.64
 US 23 south / SR 20 (Buford Drive N.E.) – Cumming, Buford		Southern end of US 23 concurrency
Hall​8.012.98 SR 347 (Friendship Road / Lanier Islands Parkway) – Lake Lanier
Flowery Branch11.418.312Phil Niekro Boulevard / Spout Springs Road – Flowery BranchRankin Smith Interchange
​14.022.514
 H.F. Reed Industrial Parkway to SR 13		Connects Martin Road at Falcons Parkway/SR 13 on the east side of I-985 to H.F. Reed Industrial Parkway at Thurmon Tanner Parkway on the west side.
Oakwood15.725.316 SR 53 (Mundy Mill Road) – Oakwood, DawsonvilleNorthbound exit ramp to SR 53 only; no southbound exit 16
Gainesville16.025.717 SR 13 (Atlanta Highway) – GainesvilleNorthbound exit ramp to SR 13 only: southbound exit includes separate ramps to SR 13 and SR 53.
19.731.720
 SR 60 / SR 53 Conn. north (Candler Road / Queen City Parkway) / SR 365 Bus. – Gainesville, Dawsonville		Southern terminus of SR 53 Conn./ SR 365 Bus.
21.334.322

 US 129 south / SR 11 / US 129 Bus. north (Athens Highway)		Southern end of US 129 concurrency; southern terminus of US 129 Bus.
23.738.124

 US 129 north / SR 369 west (Jesse Jewell Parkway) – Gainesville, Cleveland, Cumming		Northern end of US 129 concurrency; eastern terminus of SR 369
25.140.4—


 I-985 ends / US 23 north (Cornelia Highway) / SR 365 north		Northern terminus of I-985; northern end of US 23 and SR 365 concurrencies
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

References
  1. Starks, Edward (January 27, 2022). "Table 2: Auxiliary Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways". FHWA Route Log and Finder List. Federal Highway Administration. Archived from the original on July 3, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  2. Georgia Department of Transportation (1984). Official Highway and Transportation Map (PDF) (Map) (1984–1985 ed.). Scale not given. Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  3. Georgia Department of Transportation (1986). Official Highway and Transportation Map (PDF) (Map) (1986–1987 ed.). Scale not given. Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  4. Google (October 30, 2013). "Route of Interstate 985" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  5. National Highway System: Georgia (PDF) (Map). Federal Highway Administration. May 8, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  6. National Highway System: Gainesville, GA (PDF) (Map). Federal Highway Administration. May 9, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  7. State Highway Department of Georgia (1920). System of State Aid Roads as Approved Representing 4800 Miles of State Aid Roads Outside the Limits of the Incorporated Towns (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  8. State Highway Department of Georgia (1921). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  9. State Highway Department of Georgia (October 1926). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  10. State Highway Department of Georgia (October 1929). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  11. State Highway Department of Georgia (January 1932). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  12. State Highway Department of Georgia (February 1932). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  13. State Highway Department of Georgia (April 1, 1935). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  14. State Highway Department of Georgia (July 1, 1935). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  15. State Highway Department of Georgia (1946). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved October 30, 2013. (Corrected to November 7, 1946.)
  16. State Highway Department of Georgia (1948). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved October 30, 2013. (Corrected to February 28, 1948.)
  17. State Highway Department of Georgia (1949). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved October 30, 2013. (Corrected to April 1, 1949.)
  18. State Highway Department of Georgia (1955). State Highway System and Other Principal Connecting Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved October 30, 2013. (Corrected to June 1, 1955.)
  19. State Highway Department of Georgia (1957). State Highway System and Other Principal Connecting Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved October 30, 2013. (Corrected to July 1, 1957.)
  20. State Highway Department of Georgia (1960). State Highway System and Other Principal Connecting Roads (PDF) (Map) (1960–1961 ed.). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved October 30, 2013. (Corrected to June 1, 1960.)
  21. State Highway Department of Georgia (1963). State Highway System and Other Principal Connecting Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved October 30, 2013. (Corrected to June 1, 1963.)
  22. State Highway Department of Georgia (January 1966). Official Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  23. State Highway Department of Georgia (January 1967). Official Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  24. State Highway Department of Georgia (January 1969). Official Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  25. State Highway Department of Georgia (January 1970). Official Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  26. State Highway Department of Georgia (January 1971). Official Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  27. Georgia Department of Transportation (January 1977). Official Highway Map (PDF) (Map) (1977–1978 ed.). Scale not given. Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  28. Georgia Department of Transportation (January 1978). Official Highway Map (PDF) (Map) (1978-79 ed.). Scale not given. Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  29. Georgia Department of Transportation (1980). Official Highway and Transportation Map (PDF) (Map) (1980–1981 ed.). Scale not given. Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  30. Georgia Department of Transportation (1982). Official Highway and Transportation Map (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
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