The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) today was named a southern regional winner in the 2025 America's Transportation Awards during the Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO) annual conference in Lexington, Kentucky. Georgia DOT’s winning submission, "I-20 Eastbound Exit Ramp Roundabout at Maynard Terrace," won in the “Operations Excellence, Small Project” category, which recognizes projects that have significantly benefited the communities in which they exist, with a focus on economic growth and well-being of citizens.

“The mission of the Georgia DOT is to deliver a transportation network focused on innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility for the people and businesses of Georgia," said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “This roundabout project embodies those ideals and will provide lasting benefits for residents in the area and motorists using the ramp for years to come.”

The I-20 Eastbound Exit Ramp at Maynard Terrace, an interstate exit ramp and intersection near a business district, residential properties and a school, was experiencing significant travel delays and numerous crashes. The intersection did not address the needs of pedestrians in the area; there were no crosswalks, sidewalks, or other pedestrian facilities. After analyzing the crash data, Georgia DOT determined that a roundabout with pedestrian accommodations would be beneficial for handling the high motor vehicle traffic volumes, allowing for a more efficient flow and dramatically reducing severe crashes while also addressing the needs of pedestrians in the area. Georgia DOT prioritized customer and community involvement and engaged with stakeholders, including hosting public meetings early in the process. The department also conducted outreach programs and collaborated with the Battle of Atlanta Greenway Trail project, a two-mile multi-use trail connecting historic monuments to neighborhoods, businesses, and schools, to integrate pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

Opened to traffic in December 2024 and completed in April 2025, the I-20 Eastbound Exit Ramp at Maynard Terrace features a multi-lane roundabout with 5-foot sidewalks and a 10-foot shared-use path. It also eliminates left-turn conflicts, improving motorist visibility, lowering vehicle speeds, and reducing the overall severity of any crashes. Overall, Georgia DOT has seen a significant decrease in traffic congestion, backups, and crashes. The new pedestrian accommodations encourage multimodal access to businesses and the nearby Alonzo Crim High School.

Roundabouts effectively address safety and capacity issues. At intersections where roundabouts have been installed to replace existing intersections, accidents of all types have been reduced by over 35 percent and injury accidents by over 60 percent.

The America’s Transportation Awards, sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), highlight transportation projects that deliver meaningful community benefits. As a regional winner, Georgia DOT's "I-20 Eastbound Exit Ramp Roundabout at Maynard Terrace" project will advance to contend for a spot on AASHTO's “Top 12” of nationwide finalists, which will be announced in early September. The chosen "Top 12" will then compete for a Grand Prize, selected by an independent panel of judges, and a People's Choice Award, chosen by public vote. Winners will be announced in November at the AASHTO Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City. Each winner in national competition will receive $10,000 to donate to a charity or scholarship of their choice.