Editing Interstate 16 (section)

==Future==
=== I-95 interchange ===
Due to high congestion during [[rush hour]] in Savannah and many deadly car accidents, the [[Georgia Department of Transportation]] (GDOT) has undertaken a new construction project at the interchange of I-95 and I-16 (exit&nbsp;157 on I-16), along with other I-16 improvements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.savannahnow.com/news/2016-06-28/proposed-i-16-work-promises-widening-safety|title=Proposed I-16 work promises widening, safety|last=Ray|first=Brittini|website=Savannah Morning News|language=en|access-date=August 12, 2019}}</ref> The project, dubbed as the 16@95 Improvement Projects, includes:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.equipmentworld.com/ga-to-get-its-first-turbine-interchange-with-i-16-i-95-rehab/|title=I-16/I-95 rehab to include Ga.'s first turbine interchange|last=McLoud|first=Don|website=www.equipmentworld.com|date=November 12, 2018 |access-date=August 12, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/BS/Projects/SpecialProjects/1695Improvement#tab-3|title=I-16 at I-95 Improvement Projects - MMIP Project|website=www.dot.ga.gov|access-date=August 12, 2019|archive-date=August 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812170153/http://www.dot.ga.gov/BS/Projects/SpecialProjects/1695Improvement#tab-3|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* The widening of I-16 from two lanes in each direction to three lanes between the junctions with [[Interstate 95 in Georgia|I-95]] and [[Interstate 516|I-516]] (exit&nbsp;164).
* The construction of a partial [[Interchange (road)#Turbine interchange|turbine interchange]] (whirlpool interchange) at the junction of I-16 and I-95, in which two existing loop ramps, from I-16 westbound to I-95 southbound, and from I-95 southbound to I-16 eastbound, will be replaced with turbine configuration ramps.
* The creation of a [[Local–express lanes|collector–distributor road]] on I-95 northbound to separate through traffic from cars exiting onto and entering from I-16.
* The construction of a two-lane emergency median cross-over for westbound I-16 traffic between Dean Forest Road/SR&nbsp;307 (exit&nbsp;160) and I-95, to assist in hurricane evacuations from Savannah. 
* Ramp meters will be installed at exit 160 as well as exit 162 (Chatham Parkway)
* The reconstruction of six bridges, replacement of four bridges, and the construction of three new bridges near the area.
* The addition of new interchange lighting at the I-95 interchange and [[Intelligent transportation system|Intelligent Transportation System]] technology to provide real-time driving conditions to travelers.

The project, upon completion, is expected to result in a 32% decrease in I-16 congestion by 2030.<ref name=":0" /> Despite concerns from residents, no new noise barriers will be built along I-16 during the construction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20190606/gdot-new-lanes-on-i-16-new-i-95-interchange-to-be-completed-by-2022|title=GDOT: New lanes on I-16, new I-95 interchange to be completed by 2022|last=Peebles|first=Will|website=Savannah Morning News|language=en|access-date=August 12, 2019}}</ref> A noise study concluded that barriers would not be necessary since traffic noise were not predicted to be over 66&nbsp;[[dB(A)]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.in.gov/indot/files/Noise%20Barriers%20Brochure.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 12, 2019 |archive-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109080339/https://www.in.gov/indot/files/Noise%20Barriers%20Brochure.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The project is expected to cost around $295&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsav.com/news/traffic/exclusive-new-artist-rendition-of-i-16-i-95-interchange-project/|title=EXCLUSIVE: New artist rendition of I-16, I-95 interchange project|last=Antonacci|first=Kelly|date=October 24, 2018|website=WSAV-TV|language=en-US|access-date=August 12, 2019}}</ref> Construction, which will be completed by Savannah Mobility Contractors JV, was set to begin in the second half of 2019 and be completed by the end of 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtoc.com/2019/06/07/i-i-project-use-new-interchange-configuration/|title=I-16/I-95 project to use new interchange configuration|last=Logan|first=Zach|date=June 7, 2019 |publisher=WTOC|language=en-US|access-date=August 12, 2019}}</ref> However, construction did not start until 2020, has been delayed multiple times, and is now expected to cost $317.4 million.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Winkelmann |first1=Sarah |title=I-16 at I-95 construction delays causing project to take longer, but end is in sight |url=https://www.wtoc.com/2022/12/05/i-16-i-95-construction-delays-causing-project-take-longer-end-is-sight/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |work=www.wtoc.com |date=December 5, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The ramp from I-16 west to I-95 south was opened on March 23, 2023,<ref>{{cite news |title=First new I-16/I-95 ramp set to open Thursday |url=https://www.statesboroherald.com/local/first-new-i-16i-95-ramp-set-open-thursday/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |work=www.statesboroherald.com |date=March 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Schrader |first1=Shea |title=New I-16/I-95 interchange ramp now open |url=https://www.wtoc.com/2023/03/24/new-i-16i-95-interchange-ramp-now-open/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |work=www.wtoc.com |date=March 24, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> with the ramp from I-95 south to I-16 east opened on June 2, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=See the Latest Happenings at 16@95 Improvement Projects! |url=https://us20.campaign-archive.com/?u=85e8270674fc9a47b18bf99be&id=cd4809e72f |website=us20.campaign-archive.com |access-date=January 29, 2024}}</ref> Construction is ongoing as of January 29, 2024, with long-term detour routes in place.<ref>{{cite news |title=Expect delays on I-16, I-95 as construction continues |url=https://www.wtoc.com/video/2024/01/24/expect-delays-i-16-i-95-construction-continues/ |access-date=January 29, 2024 |date=January 24, 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Interstate Closure Advisory for the 16@95 Improvement Projects |url=https://www.griceconnect.com/local-news/interstate-closure-advisory-for-the-1695-improvement-projects-8169028 |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=Grice Connect |date=January 28, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

=== I-75 interchange ===
The interchange of [[Interstate 75 in Georgia|I-75]] and I-16 is also undergoing construction as part of $500 million project,<ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=Contracting Crews Will Be Busy With Phases of $500M Project : CEG |url=https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/contracting-crews-will-be-busy-with-phases-of-500m-project/60020 |website=www.constructionequipmentguide.com |access-date=May 15, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> split into six phases,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interstate 16/75 Interchange Concept Map |url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/BuildSmart/Projects/Documents/I-16%20I-75%20Interchange/ConceptPhaseMap.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017213333/http://www.dot.ga.gov/BuildSmart/Projects/Documents/I-16%20I-75%20Interchange/ConceptPhaseMap.pdf |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |website=Georgia Department of Transportation}}</ref> with the first three phases being worked on simultaneously. These phases were set to be completed by the end of 2021,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=I-16/I-75 Interchange Project |url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/BS/Projects/SpecialProjects/I16I75#tab-1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205174110/http://www.dot.ga.gov/BS/Projects/SpecialProjects/I16I75 |archive-date=February 5, 2021 |access-date=August 12, 2019 |website=www.dot.ga.gov}}</ref> but as of February 2023, only Phase 1 has been completed:

* Phase&nbsp;1: A collector–distributor road was built on I-16 eastbound between the I-75 junction and Spring Street (exit&nbsp;1A), including new bridges over the [[Ocmulgee River]] and Spring Street. The Spring Street loop ramp was temporarily closed and replaced with a temporary left turn onto I-16 westbound. Also, the bridge over the Ocmulgee River on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard was reconstructed and widened in this phase. This phase was completed in the summer of 2022.<ref name=":2" />
* Phase&nbsp;2: Construction includes improvements on I-75 between Hardeman Avenue (exit&nbsp;164) and I-16 (exit&nbsp;165) and the shifting of exit ramps from I-75 in each direction to I-16. Later in this phase, access to Spring Street for traffic coming from southbound I-75 via I-16 will be temporarily closed to allow for completion of the collector–distributor system.
* Phase&nbsp;3: A new collector–distributor road is being built along I-75 north through the I-16 interchange, along with a new westbound collector–distributor road from Spring Street along I-16 over the Ocmulgee River and portions of other ramps.
Construction on Phase&nbsp;1 was completed by C.W. Matthews at a cost of $63&nbsp;million, while construction on Phase&nbsp;2 and Phase&nbsp;3 is being completed by E.R. Snell Company for $156&nbsp;million.<ref name=":2" />

Three additional phases are included in the project, which ultimately are intended to help improve access to and from downtown Macon<ref>{{Cite web |title=I-16/75 Interchange |url=http://www.i16i75.com/index_files/images/renderings/i16i75lookingnorth.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903040737/http://www.i16i75.com/index_files/images/renderings/i16i75lookingnorth.jpg |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |website=Georgia Department of Transportation}}</ref> and Gray Highway<ref>{{Cite web |title=I-16/75 Interchange - I-16 Looking East Rendering |url=http://www.i16i75.com/index_files/images/renderings/i16lookingeast.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903040525/http://www.i16i75.com/index_files/images/renderings/i16lookingeast.jpg |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |website=Georgia Department of Transportation}}</ref> via the currently-underutilized Second Street bridge, reducing congestion on Spring Street and North Avenue:<ref name=":1" />

* Phase&nbsp;4: Bids for a construction contract are scheduled to occur in 2021. Second Street will be widened and ramps from and to eastbound I-16 will be constructed. Construction from Phase&nbsp;1 and Phase&nbsp;2 will be completed, along with the collector–distributor road through the I-75 interchange along eastbound I-16 to the Coliseum Drive/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard exit. Access from I-75 southbound via I-16 to Spring Street will be reopened at the conclusion of this phase.
* Phase&nbsp;5: Bids for a construction contract are scheduled to occur in 2021. During this phase, the Spring Street loop ramp will be reopened and the temporary left turn lane on northbound Spring Street to I-16 westbound will be closed permanently. Also, Phase&nbsp;3 construction will be completed, and a connection to the north-to-east ramp from Phase&nbsp;2 will be built. This phase also includes the completion of the westbound collector–distributor road from Phase&nbsp;3, along with a new ramp from Second Street to westbound I-16.
* Phase&nbsp;6: Bids for a construction contract are scheduled to occur in 2023. A {{Convert|1600|ft|m|abbr=|adj=on}} tunnel will be built for the Norfolk Southern Railroad under I-75. All remaining construction will be completed in this phase.

Also as a part of this project, GDOT spent $12&nbsp;million in the Pleasant Hill neighborhood to help mitigate the effect of the construction and new highway ramps. The construction, which was completed in the summer of 2018, included the creation of two new parks and the transformation of Penniman House, the childhood home of the late musician [[Little Richard]], into a community resource center.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.macon.com/news/local/article218925375.html|title=Tired of interstate construction? Here's when you can expect it to be finished|last=Dunlap|first=Stanley|date=October 1, 2018|website=The Telegraph|access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> This project was labeled as Phase 1B.<ref name=":2" />

==== Effect of construction on Port of Savannah traffic ====
According to GDOT, with the expansion of I-16 at its interchanges with I-75, I-95, and I-516, the estimated increase in [[Gross State Product|gross state product]] (GSP) would be $9.1&nbsp;million at a cost of $1.95&nbsp;million. In addition, employment would increase annually by 2,426, and the [[return on investment]] (ROI) would be 4.7.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/InvestSmart/Freight/Documents/Plan/Task%205_Recommendations.pdf |title=Error |access-date=August 13, 2019 |archive-date=August 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813193627/http://www.dot.ga.gov/InvestSmart/Freight/Documents/Plan/Task%25205_Recommendations.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Possible removal of the Earl T. Shinhoster Bridge===
In Savannah, city and state officials are currently considering removing the Earl T. Shinhoster Bridge, which carries eastbound traffic over Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and onto Montgomery Street at the eastern terminus of I-16. The construction of the I-16 flyover ramps into Savannah in the 1960s led to the removal of [[Savannah Union Station|Union Station]], as well as two full city blocks, which had severe negative impacts on the African American community. A study about possibly removing the ramps was approved and funded by the Savannah City Council in December 2023. The study, which is listed as the I-16 Ramp Removal Study, will be managed by the Metropolitan Planning Commission, the [[Georgia Department of Transportation]] (GDOT), and the [[Federal Highway Administration]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Butler |first1=Brooke |title=City of Savannah votes to help fund feasibility study for I-16 ramp removal |url=https://www.wjcl.com/article/city-of-savannah-votes-to-help-fund-feasibility-study-for-i-16-ramp-removal/46069777# |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=WJCL |date=December 8, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Alexis |title=What I-16 Ramp Removal Study means for Savannah |url=https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/savannah/i-16-ramp-removal-study-gets-funding/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=WSAV-TV |date=December 15, 2023}}</ref> In March 2024, Georgia U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock announced that $1.8 million in federal funding had been allocated toward the planning of the project.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Snyder |first1=Flynn |title=Senators announce federal funding for planning to remove I-16 flyover in Savannah |url=https://www.wtoc.com/2024/03/12/senators-announce-federal-funding-planning-remove-i-16-flyover-savannah/ |access-date=April 11, 2024 |work=www.wtoc.com |date=March 12, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>