Georgia’s $1.8B I‑75 Plan: Who Pays, How Contracts Are Awarded and How to Find Procurement Opportunities

Hook: Why Georgia’s $1.8B I‑75 plan matters to contractors, small businesses and taxpayers in 2026

Traffic chokepoints on I‑75 affect schedules, bids and cash flow for construction firms and local suppliers. If you build roads, supply materials, or run a small business near Henry or Clayton counties, the state's proposed $1.8 billion express‑lane program is a potential source of work — but only if you know where the dollars come from, how contracts are awarded, and where to find opportunities. This guide explains the funding mix, procurement models and step‑by‑step actions that construction contractors and small businesses need in 2026.

The project in context: What Governor Kemp proposed and why it’s timely

In January 2026 Governor Brian Kemp proposed spending $1.8 billion to add reversible toll express lanes — one in each direction — on a congested 12‑mile segment of I‑75 in Henry and Clayton counties. The announcement reaffirmed Georgia’s near‑term emphasis on managed lanes and tolling as a congestion‑management and revenue tool.

“These issues are also undermining our economic development prospects, with business leaders questioning whether their workers will want to live and commute in that environment.” — Governor Brian Kemp, January 2026

That quote underscores a larger 2025–2026 trend: states are combining traditional public funding with tolling, bonds and private capital to keep large highway projects moving while federal discretionary grant timelines stretch longer and inflation keeps upward pressure on costs.

How large highway projects are typically funded: the funding toolbox

Understanding who pays is the first step for firms that plan to bid or subcontract. Large projects commonly use a mix of these funding sources:

1. State transportation revenues and bonds

State gas taxes, motor fuel fees, vehicle registration revenue, and state transportation bonds (including GARVEE bonds where applicable) form a core funding stream. Georgia’s Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) coordinate on bond issuance and toll revenue-backed financing for managed lanes.

2. Toll revenue and toll bonds

Toll lanes generate a direct revenue stream used to pay debt service on bonds or to support public‑private partnerships (P3s). For the I‑75 proposal, the state’s plan includes express lanes that would be tolled, meaning future toll revenue could help repay bonds or private investors.

3. Federal formula and discretionary grants

Large interstate projects often combine state funds with federal aid. In 2026 the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (the IIJA/BIL) remains the principal federal law directing highway formula and discretionary funds. Common federal sources include:

• Federal-aid Highway Program formula funds (via FHWA)
• Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds administered by state DOTs
• Discretionary grant programs such as RAISE/BUILD‑style grants, INFRA-type freight grants, or other competitive programs under the U.S. Department of Transportation

4. Public‑private partnerships (P3s) and private finance

States sometimes structure P3s where private partners build, operate, and maintain toll lanes in exchange for a portion of toll revenue or availability payments. Georgia has tools and precedents for P3 and design‑build projects, often routed through GDOT’s Office of Innovative Program Delivery.

5. Local and MPO contributions

Regional funding (metropolitan planning organizations like Atlanta’s ARC) or county SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) revenues can be used to match or augment larger financing packages.

What this mix means for bidders and small businesses

For contractors and suppliers, a mixed funding package affects procurement rules, compliance requirements, and where to look for procurement notices. Key implications:

• Projects using federal funds will include federal compliance rules (Davis‑Bacon wage rates, Buy America/Build America provisions, DBE goals).
• Toll‑revenue‑backed bonds and P3s may lead to procurement run under state law or competitive P3 regulations, with private partners setting additional technical standards.
• Multiple funding sources often mean multiple oversight agencies — GDOT, SRTA, FHWA and local governments — each of which publishes notices in separate places.

How contracts are commonly awarded on large highway projects in Georgia

Procurement model affects how you prepare a bid. Expect one of these approaches:

Design‑Bid‑Build (traditional low‑bid)

The design is complete before bids are solicited; the lowest responsive, responsible bidder wins. This is common for many GDOT lettings but less frequent for large managed‑lane projects where schedule and innovation are priorities.

Design‑Build and Progressive Design‑Build (best value)

Design‑build combines design and construction under one contract. Georgia increasingly uses this model for large projects to speed delivery and transfer some schedule risk to the contractor. Procurement is usually best value rather than strictly lowest price: proposers are evaluated on technical approach, schedule, experience and price. Expect scoring matrices and clarifiable negotiated best offers.

Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)

CMAR engages a contractor early to provide cost advice and to manage subcontracting and schedule risks while the design is finalized.

Public‑Private Partnership (P3)

P3 procurements often use a two‑step competitive process (Request for Qualifications, then Request for Proposals). The private partner’s financing model, tolling technology and long‑term operations proposals become evaluation criteria.

Key compliance and contract conditions to prepare for in 2026

Modern federal and state contracts include non‑negotiable compliance items. Before bidding, ensure you can meet these:

• Registration and certifications: Active SAM.gov registration and a unique entity identifier are required for federally funded work. Team Georgia Marketplace registration is required for state procurements.
• DBE / SBE goals: Federally funded projects set Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goals. GDOT publishes DBE program requirements and a directory of certified firms — get certified early if eligible.
• Buy America / Build America (BABA): Since 2024–2025 federal guidance tightened domestic content rules. Expect lifelike implementation and documentation needs in 2026.
• Davis‑Bacon wage rules: Federally funded contracts require prevailing wage compliance and certified payroll.
• Bonding and insurance: Large projects require contractor bonds (performance/payment) and industry‑standard insurance; secure bonding capacity in advance.

Where to find I‑75 project opportunities, bids and procurement notices

Monitor a combination of federal, state, and local sources. Here’s a practical short list and how to use each:

1. Team Georgia Marketplace (state procurement portal)

Team Georgia Marketplace is the central procurement portal for many state purchases. Register as a vendor, set NAICS/PSC codes and create notification filters so you receive email alerts for GDOT and SRTA solicitations.

2. GDOT Letting and Contracts pages

GDOT publishes lettings, plans, addenda and awarded contracts. Check GDOT’s contracts or proposals pages weekly, download plan sheets and addenda, and watch for pre‑bid meetings.

3. SAM.gov and Grants.gov

For federal grant funding and federally assisted procurements, use SAM.gov notices and Grants.gov for discretionary grant solicitations (e.g., INFRA, RAISE). Create saved searches for keywords like “I‑75”, “Georgia”, “express lanes”, and “managed lanes.”

4. State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) and GDOT Office of Innovative Program Delivery

SRTA posts information about toll projects and financing. GDOT’s OIPD posts P3 and design‑build procurement notices.

5. Local counties and MPOs

Henry and Clayton counties, and the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), may post related procurement or consultant opportunities tied to interchange or multimodal links. County procurement pages and MPO solicitations often contain subcontracting opportunities.

6. Open data portals and contract award datasets

GDOT and Georgia state open‑data sites publish contract award records, vendor lists and project cost data. Use these datasets to analyze past awards, estimate margins, and identify frequent prime contractors for partnership opportunities.

Actionable checklist: How to position your company to win work on the I‑75 plan

1. Register everywhere — SAM.gov (federal), Team Georgia Marketplace (state), and register with GDOT vendor lists.
2. Certify — apply for DBE or other small‑business certifications early. Certification can take weeks to months.
3. Confirm bonding capacity — obtain letters of credit or bonding lines sized for the expected project value.
4. Document past performance — prepare concise project summaries, references, safety record, and financial statements for pre‑qualification packages.
5. Master compliance — set up payroll tracking for Davis‑Bacon, procurement files for Buy America, and apprenticeship/training records if required.
6. Build strategic partnerships — seek teaming agreements with primes who have GDOT or P3 experience; many primes seek local DBE/SBE subs.
7. Monitor and attend pre‑bid meetings — these meetings offer insight into scope, risk allocation and potential subcontracting needs.
8. Use open data — analyze past awards and historical bid tabs to set competitive, realistic pricing.

How to read an RFP or Invitation to Bid for a large GDOT project

When an RFP or IFB drops, evaluate these sections first:

• Scope of work: Is it full design‑build or construction only? Identify deliverables, schedule, and milestones.
• Funding sources: Federal funds trigger federal clauses — find the funding statement early.
• Evaluation criteria: Understand weighting between technical factors, price and local participation.
• DBE goals and subcontracting plan: These are mandatory and scored on some procurements.
• Contract terms: Review liquidated damages, warranty, and performance measurement language.

Case study (practical example)

Imagine a medium‑sized paving subcontractor in Henry County. Here is a realistic route into the I‑75 work:

1. Register on Team Georgia Marketplace and GDOT vendor lists; secure DBE certification if eligible.
2. Monitor GDOT lettings and sign up for SAM.gov alerts for federally assisted GDOT projects.
3. Attend a GDOT pre‑bid meeting and introduce your firm to prime design‑builders; express capability in rapid lane closures and traffic control for managed lanes.
4. Respond to RFIs with detailed methodology and cost drivers; submit a subcontracting plan that meets DBE goals.
5. On award, keep certified payroll systems ready and document Buy America compliance for asphalt additives or steel if needed.

Open data and public records: how to use them to your advantage

Open contract data reveals who wins work, bid prices and subcontract trends. In 2026, use these tactics:

• Download historical bid tabs from GDOT and run simple spreadsheets to see winning margins and typical markup.
• Search contract awards for SRTA and GDOT to find primes who consistently win toll‑lane packages; build relationships.
• File public records requests under the Georgia Open Records Act if you need clarifications on scoring or debrief materials after an unsuccessful bid.

2026 trends that will shape bidding on the I‑75 program

Watch these trends in 2026 that affect risk allocation and pricing:

• Continued use of design‑build and progressive procurement: Speed and risk transfer remain priorities for state DOTs.
• Stronger Buy America enforcement: Domestic content documentation is standard and will be audited.
• Inflation and material volatility: Escalation clauses and price adjustment mechanisms are increasingly negotiated into larger contracts.
• Digital procurement and data transparency: Open data and e‑procurement tools make market research and competitor analysis easier — and faster. Consider cloud and data strategies as states modernize procurement (see resources on sovereign cloud migration).
• Emphasis on workforce development: State and federal grants increasingly prioritize apprenticeship and local hiring plans as evaluation factors.

Final practical tips — what to do this month

• Register or renew SAM.gov and Team Georgia Marketplace accounts, and set keyword alerts for “I‑75”, “managed lanes” and “express lanes”.
• Start or renew DBE/SBE certification paperwork — don’t wait for the RFP.
• Request bonding pre‑qualification letters from your surety for anticipated contract sizes.
• Download recent GDOT and SRTA contract awards, and run a quick analysis of winning bid spreads.
• Attend local county procurement outreach sessions — primes often recruit subcontractors there.

Conclusion and call to action

Georgia’s proposed $1.8 billion for I‑75 express lanes is more than a headline — it’s a pipeline of potential contracts, subcontracts and supplier engagements that will shape local economies in 2026 and beyond. To convert that potential into real work, contractors and small businesses must act early: register on state and federal procurement portals, secure certifications, understand compliance for federal funds, and use open data to build competitive bids.

Start today: register on Team Georgia Marketplace, verify SAM.gov status, and sign up for GDOT letting alerts. If you want a practical checklist and a sample pre‑qualification packet tailored to a small paving or heavy‑civil subcontractor, download our free template or contact your local GDOT procurement liaison.

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