The new High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on Interstate 85 southbound and on Ga. 316 westbound will be opened beginning late Thursday night with the lanes open by 5 this morning, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.

"We are one step closer to getting this great project finished," said DOT District Engineer Russell McMurry. "We ask the public to bear with us as we wrap up work on the 85 northbound and 316 eastbound HOV lanes."

The $147 million interchange reconstruction project, which began in January 2006, includes two new "flyover" bridges from Ga. 316 westbound to I-85 southbound and to Pleasant Hill Road, as well as a congestion-relieving "collector-distributor" system.

"There is still some work to do, but we are on schedule," McMurry said.

The project is slated to be complete at the end of the year.

Travelers can call 511, which is a free call, for real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, construction and delays.

Callers also can reach live operators to request help or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.