Interstate 485 Georgia

History

Western Terminus

Eastern Terminus

Original Routing (Unconstructed)

Interstate 485 was a planned connection between Interstates 75-85 at Downtown Atlanta to the U.S. 78 Stone Mountain Freeway at the Interstate 285 Perimeter Highway. Some 1980s highway maps display Interstate 485 shields on the small freeway stub of then Georgia 410/now Georgia 10 that protrudes east from Interstate 75-85 Exit 246C. This segment was to be the western most reaches and terminus of the freeway.

To the east the Stone Mountain Freeway was not only assigned U.S. 78, but also Georgia 410. This number is apart of the original Georgia 400 freeway series that coincides with most of the original Interstate system within the Peach State. As it currently stands, the Stone Mountain Freeway travels between the Lawrenceville Highway west of Interstate 285 eastward to Rockbridge Road near Georgia's Stone Mountain State Park.

An ambitious plan to do something with the high speed interchange at the west end of Interstate 485 was embarked upon during the mid 1990s. This plan extended the renumbered Georgia 10 freeway eastward to U.S. 23 Moreland Avenue and U.S. 278 Ponce De Leon Avenue as the divided surface boulevard Freedom Parkway. The construction project completed around 1996.

There are no plans to bring back Interstate 485 as it was originally envisioned. Additionally a planned extension of Interstate 675 northward to the Georgia 400 Toll Highway also was scrapped. If these routes were complete, the two would have a junction near the city line and U.S. 23/Moreland Road.

Highway Guides

• Georgia 10 & 42 Spur (Planned Interstate 485)

	Western Terminus - Interstate 75/85 Downtown Atlanta, Georgia Perspective from Interstates 75-85 north Soon after leaving the compact Interstate 20 stack interchange, the expansive Interstate 75-85 overlap travels northward into the Atlanta Central Business District. A myriad of surface streets, including Georgia 10, are served by the upcoming Exits 248B and 248C. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/22/03). Just one quarter mile south of the historic western terminus of Interstate 485 on the sixteen lane Interstate 75-85. Georgia 10 ends at this interchange as the Freedom Parkway ramps directly feed into Andrew Young International Boulevard. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/22/03). Second to last guide sign for Exit 248C/Georgia 10 east of Interstates 75-85 north. The third point of interest on the panel is the President Jimmy Carter Center. The facility is located off of Freedom Parkway to the east. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/22/03). Interstates 75-85 northbound prepare to descend under the intricate ramps of the Interstate 485 historic western terminus interchange. To the right Exit 248C departs for Andrew Young International Boulevard west and Georgia 10/Freedom Parkway east. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/22/03). The split of Georgia 10/Freedom Parkway eastbound from the Exit 248C ramp into downtown. The Andrew Young International Boulevard ramp quickly encounters an intersection as it connects with the central business district surface artery. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/22/03). Perspective from Georgia 10 east Traffic merging onto Georgia 10 eastbound quickly encounters a traffic light and the surface boulevard connection. The road derives its name "Freedom" as a theme for the nearby Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/22/03). Perspective from Georgia 10 west Entering the Interstate 75-85 and Andrew Young International Boulevard interchange complex on Georgia 10 west. A Georgia 10 end shield is posted for the terminus as traffic prepares to enter the downtown area. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/22/03). The downtown skyline taking center stage, historic Interstate 485 partitions into ramps for Interstate 75-85 south to Macon and Montgomery to the left and Interstates 75-85 north for Chattanooga, Greenville, and the connection to Andrew Young International Boulevard west. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/22/03). Partition of the southbound ramp from the north and westbound ramps. The cylindrical glass building is that of Peachtree Center. Those who are familiar with the SimCity series of games should recognize the skyscraper. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/22/03). Historic Interstate 485 westbound draws to a close at the second partition in traffic. To the right traffic enters the final three miles of the Interstate 75-85 overlap northbound. Ahead to the left, Interstate 485 enters the downtown street grid. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/22/03). Eastern Terminus - Interstate 285 - Clarkston, Georgia If you have additional information on the eastern terminus or have photographs, please send email us.

Page Updated September 3, 2003