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Home Values Near Major Highway Upgrades: Lessons from the I-75 Proposal

UUnknown

2026-02-26

10 min read

How will the proposed I-75 express lanes change property values, noise, and development in Atlanta corridors? Practical, data-informed guidance for buyers and owners.

Worried about how the proposed I-75 upgrades will affect your home or search for a new one? You’re not alone.

Major highway projects bring two conflicting promises: faster commutes and more economic activity, but also greater noise, traffic churn, and zoning shifts that can reshape neighborhoods. For homeowners and prospective buyers along Atlanta’s I-75 corridor, the state's early-2026 proposal to spend roughly $1.8 billion for additional toll express lanes is a live example of infrastructure change with local stakes. This article gives a data-informed view of how past highway expansions have affected property values, noise pollution, and development—and what savvy homebuyers, sellers, and owners should do next.

The headline: I-75 in 2026 and why it matters locally

In January 2026 Georgia state leadership proposed building new toll express lanes on I-75 in southern Atlanta suburbs to reduce chronic congestion. The plan follows other regional investments—toll lanes and interchange rebuilds on I-285—and fits a nationwide 2024–2026 trend of states using tolling and managed lanes to fund major capacity work. For property owners, the proposal creates a window to assess near-term disruption and potential long-term gains. Understand both sides before you decide to buy, sell, or invest.

Quick policy context (2024–2026)

Managed toll lanes and express lanes became a dominant funding model in many U.S. metros by 2025, driven by budget pressures and the political appeal of “user pays” systems.
State DOTs increasingly attach interchange reconstructions, stormwater upgrades, and noise mitigation to major projects—affecting land use beyond the pavement.
Federal and regional planning now emphasizes multimodal considerations, but highway expansion remains common in fast-growing southern metros, including Atlanta.

What research shows: property values near highway upgrades

Academic and urban economics studies spanning the last two decades reveal a nuanced picture: highways change values through two main channels—accessibility benefits and negative externalities (noise, pollution, safety). Impacts vary by distance, housing type, and local context.

Typical value patterns

Immediate proximity (0–300 meters / ~1,000 ft): Multiple analyses show a discount for homes very close to expanded highways, often driven by noise and air quality concerns. Price effects in studies can range from small to double-digit percentage losses depending on barrier mitigation and orientation.
Near neighborhood band (300 meters–2 km / ~1,000 ft–1.2 miles): Improved access often produces a positive premium—buyers pricing faster commutes and regional connectivity—especially where interchanges ease access to job centers.
Broader metro effects (2+ km): Little direct impact; benefits are absorbed into larger market dynamics like employment growth and regional infrastructure investment.

Why results differ

Project design: Express lanes with noise walls and landscaping cause less negative impact than open expansions.
Land use context: Residential blocks adjacent to interchanges often see commercial rezoning pressure that lowers residential desirability.
Timing: Short-term (construction) usually lowers prices; long-term effects depend on whether the highway meaningfully improves commute times and spurs desirable development.

Noise pollution: the often-underestimated value killer

Noise is one of the most tangible ways a highway affects everyday life. Homebuyers often discount noise more than traffic time savings—because it affects sleep, amenity use, and health.

What to expect near an expanded I-75

Typical highway sound levels near the shoulder range from the mid-60s to mid-70s decibels; each 10 dB increase is perceived roughly as twice as loud.
Sound carries differently based on topography, vegetation, and building orientation. A property on a ridge exposed to the highway can suffer more than a home in a hollow.
Noise walls, earth berms, and distance are proven mitigations: walls often reduce noise by 5–15 dB depending on height, distance, and materials.

Noise is a property-value multiplier: small changes in perceived loudness can translate to measurable price discounts—especially for single-family homes marketed to families.

Development patterns: who benefits, who loses

Highway upgrades often trigger redevelopment near interchanges—gas stations, logistics centers, big-box retail, and sometimes higher-density housing. That has three consequences for neighborhoods:

Rezoning pressure: Local governments may reclassify land around rebuilt interchanges to commercial or mixed-use, pushing up land value for developers but creating downsides for long-time residents.
Traffic redistribution: New ramps and express lanes change local street patterns, sometimes increasing cut-through traffic in neighborhoods.
Opportunity for transit or TOD: In some corridors, agencies pair upgrades with bus or rail investments, which inflates residential demand when executed well.

Case note: expected outcomes in Atlanta corridors

In Atlanta’s southern suburbs, where I-75 reversible lanes already exist and further lanes are proposed, expect a mix: short-term construction pain, medium-term commercial interest near interchanges, and long-term gains for properties that retain quiet and access. The critical factor is local zoning and the presence (or absence) of robust noise mitigation.

Investment and resale implications: framing the numbers

For investors and homebuyers, infrastructure projects create both upside and risk. Consider these financial implications:

Rent/price premiums for accessibility: Apartments and condos that offer quicker commutes to major job centers can capture rent premiums, especially for households prioritizing commute time.
Discounts for noise-impacted single-family homes: Resale markets can shy away from noisy streets, expanding time-on-market and lowering achievable sale prices.
Cost of mitigation: Soundproof windows, insulation, landscaping, or legal settlements are real expenses; buyers should treat them as closing-cost equivalents when negotiating.

What homebuyers and homeowners should audit now: a practical checklist

Before you act—buy, sell, or invest—run this actionable audit. Collect the items below and use them to quantify risk and opportunity.

Site & data checks

Measure distance to the highway and nearest interchange using county GIS or mapping tools.
Request recent traffic and noise studies from GDOT or the regional MPO and examine projected traffic volumes for the next 10–20 years.
Review the project Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) if available—these often include modeled noise contours and air-quality data.
Check zoning maps and pending rezoning applications at your county planning office—interchange corridors are hot spots for change.

Property-specific checks

For sellers: get a pre-listing noise assessment and include mitigation plans in the listing to reduce buyer uncertainty.
For buyers: commission a measurement of inside-night noise levels and obtain quotes for window and insulation upgrades.
Ask for recent comparable sales at similar distances from the highway—this isolates the “highway premium” or discount in your market.

Financial and legal checks

Factor in potential increases in property taxes if redevelopment raises assessed values nearby.
Confirm whether your mortgage lender or insurer has particular rules for properties near major infrastructure projects.
Explore whether local ordinances require developer-funded mitigations (sound walls, landscaping, stormwater) as part of the project; these can materially alter outcomes.

Negotiation tips and mitigation strategies

When you know the risks, you can negotiate confidently. Use these strategies to preserve value and comfort.

For buyers

Request a purchase price credit or escrow for soundproofing upgrades; get contractor quotes before finalizing the offer.
Negotiate a contingency tied to the final project design—if noise projections exceed a threshold, you can renegotiate or exit.
Use a local appraiser who understands corridor projects; appraisal adjustments can reflect nearby highway projects more accurately.

For homeowners selling

Disclose pending infrastructure plans early, and present any mitigation investments (new windows, landscaping) as selling points.
Position the property to highlight accessibility benefits (reduced travel time) rather than proximity to lanes.

What local officials and community groups can do (and how residents can get involved)

Highway projects are public decisions. Residents who engage early can shape outcomes that affect property values and neighborhood amenity.

Attend GDOT or MPO public meetings and submit written comments. These hearings are where mitigation commitments (sound walls, landscaping) are often finalized.
Ask county commissioners for zoning overlays or design standards that protect residential edges from interchange commercialization.
Coordinate with neighborhoods to request independent noise monitoring during construction and after opening.

2026 trends shaping how highway upgrades translate to home outcomes

Two ongoing trends in 2026 will determine whether highway projects like I-75 help or hurt local home markets.

1. Shift toward managed lanes and tolling

By 2026, many states favor toll-financed express lanes. That changes traffic patterns: toll lanes can reduce peak congestion for paying users but may not cut total vehicle travel unless paired with demand management. For property values, this means accessibility premiums may accrue unevenly—to locations near well-designed access points and new interchanges, rather than uniformly along a corridor.

2. Electric vehicles and noise dynamics

EV adoption continues to grow into 2026. EVs are quieter at low speeds, which could reduce perceived noise in residential streets, but heavy trucks and higher speeds on freeways remain the dominant noise source—so highway noise will not disappear. Sound mitigation remains essential.

Scenario planning: three realistic outcomes for homes near I-75 upgrades

Use these scenarios to stress-test your plans—buying, holding, or selling.

Best case

Design includes tall noise walls, landscape buffers, and limited interchange commercialization. The express lanes reduce travel times and the neighborhood retains residential character. Home values near but not adjacent to the highway see modest appreciation.

Mid case

Access improves but interchange areas convert to mixed-use and light commercial. Homes immediately adjacent to the freeway see price pressure. Properties a short distance away benefit from better access.

Worst case

Construction disrupts neighborhoods for years, mitigation is minimal, and interchanges drive heavy commercialization. Noise and traffic degrade residential appeal and values near the highway decline.

Final takeaways and immediate actions for Atlanta corridor residents

Short version: Highway upgrades like the proposed I-75 express lanes can raise property values through improved access—but they can also depress values close to the roadway because of noise and land-use change. The net effect depends on distance, mitigation, zoning outcomes, and whether local governments require developer-funded protections.

Action plan (next 30–90 days)

Pull the GDOT project page and local Environmental Assessment for the I-75 proposal; note noise contours and interchange plans.
Use county GIS to map your property’s distance and orientation to the highway and nearest ramp.
Get an independent noise reading and a contractor quote for mitigation (windows/insulation) for negotiating leverage.
Attend the next public meeting or submit written comments asking for specific mitigations (sound walls, landscaping, truck routing).
If buying, include a project-related contingency in your offer; if selling, disclose plans and show mitigation investments to buyers.

Where to get reliable, local data

Georgia DOT project pages and public notices (project documentation, EA/EIS).
Regional Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) traffic projections and modeling.
County GIS parcel maps, zoning maps, and planning commission agendas for rezoning activity.
Independent noise consultants and local real estate appraisers experienced with corridor projects.

Closing: make infrastructure work for your property

Infrastructure is one of the few forces that can reshape real estate at scale. The I-75 proposal is a reminder that large public projects bring both opportunity and risk. By using data, engaging early, and negotiating with knowledge, homeowners and homebuyers in Atlanta’s corridors can protect value, reduce nuisance, and capture upside where it exists.

Ready to act? Start with the checklist above, download the latest GDOT project materials, and schedule a local noise assessment. If you’d like a tailored neighborhood impact analysis or a printable buyer/seller checklist based on your address, contact your local borough.info guide for a custom report.

Local infrastructure decisions affect every corner of the housing market—get the facts, measure the risks, and be prepared to advocate for the mitigations that preserve neighborhood livability and value.

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