Interstate 85 (I-85) is a major Interstate Highway in the Southeastern United States. Its southern terminus is at an interchange with I-65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus interchanges with I-95 in Petersburg, Virginia, near Richmond. It is nominally north–south, but physically mostly northeast–southwest. While most interstates that end in a "5" are cross-country routes, I-85 is mainly a regional route, serving five southeastern states: Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. Major cities served by I-85 includes Montgomery, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia (concurrent with I-75); Greenville, South Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; Greensboro, North Carolina; and Petersburg, Virginia, approximately 15 miles (24 km) south of Richmond.
In Georgia, I-85 (unsigned State Route 403) bypasses West Point before coming into the LaGrange area. East of LaGrange, I-85 intersects I-185 which connects to Columbus and Fort Benning. In the Atlanta area, I-85 intersects I-20 and merges with I-75 becoming Downtown Connector through the downtown area. North of Atlanta, I-985 provides a link to Gainesville before heading through northeastern Georgia and then crossing into South Carolina. Due to a bridge collapse on March 30, 2017, parts of I-85 in Atlanta were closed.
