The long-planned interchange at I-85 and Gravel Springs Road should be under construction soon.

And it won’t be too terribly long before it’s up and running.

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to accept just over $20 million in federal and state grants to pay for construction of the interchange, which is strategically positioned midway between the oft-congested Ga. 20 and Hamilton Mill Road access points. The commission then awarded the construction contract to E.R. Snell Contractors.

Gwinnett transportation director Alan Chapman said crews could break ground on the project in the next month or two. Because the road already spans I-85, entry and access ramps account for the bulk of the project — and put the estimated construction time at a relatively speedy 18 months.

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