{{Short description|State highway in Georgia}} {{Use American English|date=April 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox road |state=GA |type=SR |route=85 |map={{maplink-road|from=Georgia State Route 85.map}} |map_custom=yes |map_notes=SR 85; mainline in red, alternate routes in blue |length_mi=96.5 |length_ref=<ref name="Google">{{Google maps |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=14th+St&daddr=32.4724306,-84.9903216+to:32.5071506,-84.989819+to:32.509896,-84.932551+to:32.5440016,-84.8682488+to:GA-85&hl=en&ll=33.050112,-84.523315&spn=1.23163,1.766052&sll=33.624154,-84.40208&sspn=0.001186,0.001725&geocode=FVN97wEd3DDv-g%3BFW597wEdjybv-im56buCr82MiDGb-U7TVxAHag%3BFQ4F8AEdhSjv-imJ1iCfZ8yMiDF0nEY092PyyQ%3BFcgP8AEdOQjw-imxFQrQTjPziDGyQ6NvbJTXMg%3BFQGV8AEdaAPx-ilpSXanFzTziDGYzZYrjpnXaQ%3BFWMQAQIdZiD4-g&oq=Forest&dirflg=h&mra=dme&mrsp=5&sz=19&via=1,2,3,4&t=m&z=9 |title=Overview map of SR 85 |access-date=July 21, 2013 }}</ref> |length_round=1 |established=1930<ref name="GDOT 1929-10"/><ref name="GDOT 1930-06"/> |direction_a=South |terminus_a={{jct|state=GA|US|27|SR|1}} in Columbus |junction={{Plainlist| * {{jct|state=GA|US|27|US-Alt|27|SR|1}} in Columbus * {{jct|state=GA|I|185}} in Columbus * {{jct|state=GA|US|80|SR|22|SR|540}} in Columbus * {{jct|state=GA|US-Alt|27|SR-Alt|85|SR|116}} south of Shiloh }} |direction_b=North |terminus_b={{jct|state=GA|I|75|I|285}} in Forest Park |counties=Muscogee, Harris, Talbot, Meriwether, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton |previous_type=I |previous_route=85 |next_type=SR |next_route=86 }}
'''State Route 85''' ('''SR 85''') is a {{convert|96.7|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} state highway in the west-central part of the U.S. state of Georgia. It travels within portions of Muscogee, Harris, Talbot, Meriwether, Coweta, Fayette, and Clayton counties. It connects the Columbus and Forest Park areas, via Manchester, Woodbury, Senoia, Fayetteville, and Riverdale.
==Route description== === Muscogee and Harris counties === {{main|U.S. Route 27 Alternate (Georgia)}} GA SR 85 begins at an intersection with US 27/SR 1 in downtown Columbus. It continues to the northwest until it meets the southern terminus of SR 22 Connector. SR 85 then heads east and meets SR 219 before it has a second intersection with US 27/SR 1. At that intersection, US 27 Alt. begins, running concurrent with SR 85, up to the Harris–Talbot county line, where US 27 Alt. north/SR 85 Alt. north/SR 116 west take the left fork at an intersection while SR 85 north and SR 116 east take the right one.
=== Talbot County === Less than {{convert|0.5|mi|km}} into Talbot County, SR 116 splits off to the east, while SR 85 continues to the northeast. Just before entering Manchester, SR 85 intersects SR 41, which begins a short concurrency into Meriwether County and Manchester.
=== Meriwether County === SR 41 and SR 85 intersect the eastern terminus of SR 190 just inside of the Manchester city limits. At 2nd Street, SR 41 departs to the northwest, while SR 85 heads into downtown. Then, SR 85 turns to the east, while SR 85 Spur continues straight ahead. In Woodbury, SR 85 meets SR 18/SR 74/SR 109. At this intersection, SR 74 turns to the north, concurrent with SR 85. They reach the northern terminus of SR 85 Alternate. Farther to the north, in Gay, is the eastern terminus of SR 109 Spur. In the unincorporated community of Alps, they intersect SR 362, which briefly joins the concurrency. Less than {{convert|3|mi|km}} later, SR 74 and 85 reach the Meriwether–Coweta county line.
=== Coweta County === The concurrent highways travel through Haralson and enter the southeast part of Senoia. There, they intersect with SR 16. Less than {{convert|2|mi|km}} later, they cross over Line Creek, into Fayette County.
=== Fayette County === SR 74 and 85 enter Starrs Mill, where SR 74 departs to the northwest, while SR 85 continues to the northeast. In Fayetteville, it intersects SR 92, which forms a concurrency through the city, meeting SR 54 before SR 92 departs to the northwest. Further north, after SR 314 and SR 279 terminate at SR 85, the highway crosses over Camp Creek, into Clayton County.
=== Clayton County === On the southwestern edge of Riverdale, SR 85 intersects SR 138. Approximately {{convert|2000|ft|m}} north is the southern terminus of SR 139 (Church Street). Farther to the north is the western terminus of SR 331, which the northbound lanes of SR 85 have to take to access I-75. SR 85's northbound lanes continue for another {{convert|3000|ft|m}}, and then they end at a U-turn to go back to the south. However, the southbound lanes start at a partial interchange with I-75 (which does not have access from I-75 north to SR 85) and I-285, approximately {{convert|1500|ft|m}} farther to the north-northeast.<ref name="Google"/>
=== National Highway System === There are two sections of SR 85 that are part of the National Highway System, a system of routes determined to be the most important for the nation's economy, mobility, and defense: * From its southern terminus to the Muscogee–Harris county line, south-southwest of Ellerslie<ref name="NHS Columbus">{{cite map |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/nhs_maps/georgia/columbus_ga.pdf |title=National Highway System: Columbus, GA--AL |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |date=May 9, 2019 |access-date=November 29, 2019 }}</ref><ref name="NHS Georgia">{{cite map |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/nhs_maps/georgia/ga_georgia.pdf |title=National Highway System: Georgia |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |date=May 8, 2019 |access-date=November 29, 2019 }}</ref> * From its intersection with SR 54 in Fayetteville to its northern terminus<ref name="NHS Georgia"/><ref name="NHS Atlanta">{{cite map |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/nhs_maps/georgia/atlanta_ga.pdf |title=National Highway System: Atlanta, GA |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |date=May 9, 2019 |access-date=November 29, 2019 }}</ref>
==Major intersections== {{Mileposts}} {{jcttop|state=GA|length_ref=<ref name="Google"/>}} {{GAint |county=Muscogee |cspan=9 |location=Columbus |lspan=9 |mile=0.0 |road={{jct|state=GA|US|27|SR|1|name2=Veterans Parkway|road|14th Street east|city1=Cusseta|city2=LaGrange|city3=Macon}} |notes=Southern terminus; 14th Street continues past the southern terminus; 14th Street provides access to Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital. }} {{GAint |mile=2.6 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR-Conn|22|dab1=Columbus|dir1=east|name1=2nd Avenue north|road|Manchester Expressway west|city1=West Point|location2=Phenix City}} |notes=Western terminus of SR 22 Conn.; SR 22 Conn. takes on 2nd Avenue name, while SR 85 turns right, onto Manchester Expressway. }} {{GAint |mile=3.0 |road={{jct|state=GA|GA|219|name1=River Road|city1=LaGrange}} }} {{GAint |mile=3.5 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|US|27|SR|1|name2=Veterans Parkway|US-Alt|27|dir3=begins|city1=Hamilton|location2=Fort Benning|location3=Civil War Naval Museum}} |notes=Southern end of US 27 Alt. concurrency; southern terminus of US 27 Alt. }} {{GAint |mile=4.8 |road={{jct|state=GA|I|185|name1=SR 411|location1=Ft. Moore|location2=Atlanta}} |notes=I-185 exit 7 }} {{GAint |mile=6.9 |road=Warm Springs Road Connector |notes=Interchange }} {{GAint |mile=9.1 |road=Miller Road |notes=Interchange }} {{GAint |location= |lspan=2 |mile=10.3 |road={{jct|state=GA|US|80|SR|22|SR|540|name2=J.R. Allen Parkway|name3=Fall Line Freeway|location1=Phenix City|city2=Macon}} |notes=Interchange }} {{GAint |mile=14.1 |road=County Line Road |notes=Interchange }} {{GAint |county=Harris |cspan=3 |location=Ellerslie |lspan=2 |mile=17.8 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|315|dir1=west|city1=Cataula}} |notes=Southern end of SR 315 concurrency }} {{GAint |mile=18.3 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|315|dir1=east|name1=Talbotton Road|road|Old Warm Springs Road west|city1=Talbotton}} |notes=Northern end of SR 315 concurrency; eastern terminus of Old Warm Springs Road }} {{GAint |location=Waverly Hall |mile=24.1 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|208|city1=Hamilton|city2=Talbotton}} }} {{GAint |county1=Harris |county2=Talbot |location=none |mile=31.2 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|US-Alt|27|dir1=north|SR-Alt|85|dir2=north|GA|116|dir3=west|name3=Warm Springs Road|city1=Warm Springs|city2=Shiloh|location3=Roosevelt Rehab. Inst.}} |notes=Northern end of US 27 Alt. concurrency; southern end of SR 116 concurrency; southern terminus of SR 85 Alt. }} {{GAint |county=Talbot |cspan=2 |location=none |mile=31.6 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|116|dir1=east|name1=Rush Creek Drive<!-- couldn't see name 100% clearly -->|city1=Woodland}} |notes=Northern end of SR 116 concurrency }} {{GAint |location=none |mile=37.4 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|41|dir1=south|city1=Talbotton}} |notes=Southern end of SR 41 concurrency }} {{GAint |county=Meriwether |cspan=8 |location=Manchester |lspan=3 |mile=37.8 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|190|dir1=west|name1=Pine Mountain Highway|city1=Pine Mountain|location2=F.D. Roosevelt State Park}} |notes=Eastern terminus of SR 190 }} {{GAint |mile=38.3 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|41|dir1=north|name1=Second Street|city1=Warm Springs}} |notes=Northern end of SR 41 concurrency }} {{GAint |mile=38.8 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR-Spur|85|dab1=Manchester|dir1=west|name1=Truitt Street north|city1=Warm Springs}} |notes=Eastern terminus of SR 85 Spur; SR 85 Spur takes on the Truitt Street name, while SR 85 turns right onto Foster Street. }} {{GAint |location=Woodbury |lspan=2 |mile=48.5 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|18|SR|74|dir2=east|SR|109|name3=Main Street|city1=Greenville|city2=Zebulon}} |notes=Southern end of SR 74 concurrency }} {{GAint |mile=49.2 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR-Alt|85|dir1=south|name1=Whitehouse Parkway|city1=Warm Springs}} |notes=Northern terminus of SR 85 Alt. }} {{GAint |location=Gay |mile=56.3 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR-Spur|109|dab1=Gay|dir1=west|name1=Greenville Street|road|Caldwell Road east|city1=Greenville}} |notes=Eastern terminus of SR 109 Spur; western terminus of Caldwell Road }} {{GAint |location=Alps |mile=61.3 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|362|dir1=west|name1=Callaway Road|city1=Greenville}} |notes=Southern end of SR 362 concurrency }} {{GAint |location=Alvaton |mile=62.2 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|362|dir1=east|name1=Griffin Highway|city1=Griffin}} |notes=North end of SR 362 concurrency }} {{GAint |county=Coweta |location=Senoia |mile=71.2 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|16|city1=Turin|city2=Griffin}} }} {{GAint |county=Fayette |cspan=8 |location=Starrs Mill |mile=74.3 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|74|dir1=north|name1=Joel Cowan Parkway|road|Padgett Road south|city1=Peachtree City|extra=airport}} |notes=North end of SR 74 concurrency; northern terminus of Padgett Road; SR 74 provides access to Atlanta Regional Airport }} {{GAint |location=none |mile= |road=Old Highway 85 north |notes=Southern terminus of Old Highway 85; former SR 85 north }} {{GAint |location=Fayetteville |lspan=5 |mile=82.3 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|92|dir1=south|road|Ramah Road west|city1=Griffin}} |notes=Southern end of SR 92 concurrency; eastern terminus of Ramah Road }} {{GAint |mile=83.6 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|54|dir1=east|name1=Stonewall Avenue|city1=Jonesboro}} |notes=Eastbound lanes of SR 54 on one-way pair }} {{GAint |mile=83.6 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|54|dir1=west|name1=Lanier Avenue|city1=Peachtree City|extra=hospital}} |notes=Westbound lanes of SR 54 on one-way pair; provides access to Piedmont Fayette Hospital }} {{GAint |mile=84.2 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|92|dir1=north|name1=Forrest Avenue|road|Easterbrook Way east|city1=Fairburn}} |notes=Northern end of SR 92 concurrency; western terminus of Easterbrook Way }} {{GAint |mile=84.8 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|314|dir1=north|name1=Jeff Davis Drive|city1=College Park}} |notes=Southern terminus of SR 314 }} {{GAint |location=none |mile=88.3 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|279|dir1=north|city1=College Park}} |notes=Southern terminus of SR 279 }} {{GAint |county=Clayton |cspan=5 |location=Riverdale |lspan=2 |mile=91.2 |road={{jct|state=GA|GA|138|city1=Union City|city2=Jonesboro}} }} {{GAint |mile=91.6 |road={{jct|state=GA|GA|139|dir1=north|name1=Main Street|road|Valley Hill Road east|city1=College Park}} |notes=Southern terminus of SR 139; western terminus of Valley Hill Road }} {{GAint |location=none |mile=95.8 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|331|dir1=east|name1=Forest Parkway east|to2=y|I|75|city1=Forest Park|city2=Lake City}}<br/>{{jct|state=GA|road|Forest Parkway|dir1=west|to2=y|road|Clark Howell Highway}} |notes=Western terminus of SR 331; northbound SR 85 traffic must take this intersection to access I-75. }} {{GAint |location=none |mile=96.4 |road=U-turn back to southbound SR 85 |notes=Northbound lanes are closed, so traffic must U-turn back to the south. }} {{GAint |location=none |type=incomplete |mile=96.8 |road={{jct|state=GA|I|75|name1=SR 401|I|285|name2=Atlanta Bypass / SR 407}} |notes=No entrance ramps from SR 85 north to I-75 or from I-75 north to SR 85; I-75 exit 237A; I-285 exit 58 }} {{jctbtm|keys=concur,incomplete}}
==History== ===1930s=== In 1930, SR 85 was established from Columbus to SR 41 in Warm Springs, with the Muscogee County portion and a small portion just slightly north of the Muscogee–Harris county line having a completed hard surface.<ref name="GDOT 1929-10">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1929-10 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1930-06">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1930-06 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> By the middle of 1933, the portion of the highway from about Ellerslie to Warm Springs had a "sand clay or top soil" surface.<ref name="GDOT 1932-11">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1932-11 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1933-05">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1933-05 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> The next year, the segment of the highway just south-southwest of Warm Springs was shifted westward to a curve into the city.<ref name="GDOT 1934-04">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1934-04 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1934-10">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1934-10 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> In 1935, SR 85 was extended southeast on SR 41 to Manchester and then north-northeast through Woodbury and Senoia and into Fayetteville.<ref name="GDOT 1935-04">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1935-04 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1935-07">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1935-07 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> At the end of 1936, two segments were under construction: around Shiloh and just west-southwest of Warm Springs.<ref name="GDOT 1936-10">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1936-10 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1937-01">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1937-01 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> A few months later, SR 85 was extended north-northeast to US 19/US 41/SR 3 in Hapeville.<ref name="GDOT 1937-01"/><ref name="GDOT 1937-04">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1937-04 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> By the middle of the year, a portion from approximately halfway between Waverly Hall and Shiloh to Warm Springs was under construction.<ref name="GDOT 1937-04"/><ref name="GDOT 1937-07">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1937-07 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> Near the end of the year, the entire highway from Columbus to just south-southwest of Waverly Hall had a completed hard surface. A portion north-northeast of Waverly Hall was under construction, while the rest of the Waverly Hall–Warm Springs segment had completed grading, but was not surfaced.<ref name="GDOT 1937-07"/><ref name="GDOT 1937-10">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1937-10 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> In 1938, a portion about halfway between Woodbury and Gay was under construction. A portion south of the Meriwether–Coweta county line under construction, as well. The portion just north-northeast of Riverdale was under construction, while the rest of the Riverdale–Hapeville segment had completed grading, but was not surfaced.<ref name="GDOT 1938-01">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1938-01 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1938-09">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1938-09 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> By mid-1939, a small portion just south of Waverly Hall had a completed hard surface.<ref name="GDOT 1938-09"/><ref name="GDOT 1939-07">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1939-07 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> Near the end of the year, a small portion just north-northeast of Senoia had a completed hard surface.<ref name="GDOT 1939-07"/><ref name="GDOT 1939-10">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1939-10 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> The year ended with the segment from Waverly Hall to Warm Springs having a completed hard surface.<ref name="GDOT 1939-10"/><ref name="GDOT 1940-01">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1940-01 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref>
===1940s=== In 1940, SR 163 was built from Warm Springs to Woodbury. From Manchester to approximately halfway between it and Woodbury, as well as the Gay–Oakland and Clayton County portions, SR 85 was under construction. From approximately halfway between Woodbury and Gay into Gay, SR 85 had completed grading, but was not surfaced.<ref name="GDOT 1940-04">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1940-04 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1940-10">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1940-10 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> By the middle of 1941, SR 163's segment just northeast of Warm Springs was under construction.<ref name="GDOT 1941-04">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1941-04 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1941-07">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1941-07 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> At the end of the year, a portion of SR 85 just east-northeast of Manchester, as well as a segment from the Fayette–Clayton county line to Riverdale, had a completed hard surface. At this time, a portion of the highway from south of Woodbury had completed grading, but was not surfaced.<ref name="GDOT 1941-07"/><ref name="GDOT 1942-01">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1942-01 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> In 1942, a portion of SR 163 northeast of Warm Springs, as well as the Fayette County portion of the Fayetteville–Riverdale segment of SR 85, had completed grading, but was not surfaced. SR 85, from north-northeast of Starrs Mill to Fayetteville was under construction.<ref name="GDOT 1942-01"/><ref name="GDOT 1943-01">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1943-01 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> The next year, a portion northeast of Manchester had a completed hard surface.<ref name="GDOT 1943-01"/><ref name="GDOT 1944-01">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1944-01 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> In 1944, a portion south of Woodbury had a sand clay or top soil surface. Also, the Gay–Alvaton segment had completed grading, but was not surfaced.<ref name="GDOT 1944-01"/> By the end of 1946, SR 85 was shifted eastward to a more direct path between Columbus and Manchester. Its old path between south of Shiloh and Warm Springs was redesignated as a southerly extension of SR 163. SR 85 Spur was built in Manchester from SR 41 to SR 85. The entire length of SR 85 from Columbus to Chalybeate Springs had a completed hard surface. A small portion north-northeast of Chalybeate Springs had a sand clay or top soil surface; the portion from there to Woodbury had a completed hard surface.<ref name="GDOT 1945-01">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1945-01 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1946">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1946 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> Between 1946 and 1948, the Chalybeate Springs–Woodbury and Starrs Mill–Hapeville segments had a completed hard surface, while the Woodbury–Senoia segment had a "sand clay, top soil, or stabilized earth" surface.<ref name="GDOT 1946"/><ref name="GDOT 1948">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1948 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> The next year, from Woodbury to just north-northwest of Gay, SR 85 had a completed hard surface.<ref name="GDOT 1948"/><ref name="GDOT 1949">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1949 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref>
===1950s=== By the middle of 1950, US 27 Alt. was designated on SR 85 between Columbus and a point south of Shiloh and on SR 163 from there to Warm Springs. The segment of SR 85 from just north-northwest of Gay to Starrs Mill had a completed hard surface.<ref name="GDOT 1949"/><ref name="GDOT 1950">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1950 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> By 1952, SR 163 was redesignated as SR 85W.<ref name="GDOT 1950"/><ref name="GDOT 1952">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1952 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> That year, SR 85W's segment south of Warm Springs was reverted to being designated as SR 163.<ref name="GDOT 1952"/><ref name="GDOT 1953-01">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1953-01 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> The next year, this was undone. Also, the segment of SR 85W from Warm Springs to Woodbury had completed grading, but was not surfaced.<ref name="GDOT 1953-01"/><ref name="GDOT 1953">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1953 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> By the middle of 1955, this segment was hard surfaced.<ref name="GDOT 1954">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1954 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1955">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1955 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> Two years later, SR 85 from south of Shiloh to Woodbury was redesignated as SR 85E.<ref name="GDOT 1955"/><ref name="GDOT 1957">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1957 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref>
===1960s to 1990s=== Between 1960 and 1963, US 27 Alt. was shifted eastward onto SR 85E from south of Shiloh to Manchester.<ref name="GDOT 1960">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1960 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1963">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1963 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> Between 1963 and 1966, the northern terminus was truncated to its current location in the extreme western part of Forest Park.<ref name="GDOT 1963"/><ref name="GDOT 1966">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1966 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> About thirty years later, SR 85W was redesignated SR 85 Alt., while SR 85E was redesignated as part of the SR 85 mainline again.<ref name="GDOT 1995">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1995 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1996">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1996 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref> {{Clear}}
When I-75 was first constructed, both directions of SR 85 connected to it at a partial Y interchange, just south of the interchange with I-285. Eventually, it became clear that the on-ramp carrying northbound SR 85 and the off-ramp for I-285 east were too close together, causing weaving on northbound I-75. Therefore, by the late 1970s, the entrance ramp to I-75 was relocated to diverge from nearby SR 331. The preexisting northbound ramp from SR 85 to I-75 was then truncated to end in the current U-turn. The area where the old ramp once stood is now covered over with trees.
On April 29, 1983, SR 85's southern terminus was moved from Fort Benning to the Georgia–Alabama border along the 14th Street Bridge linking Columbus and Phenix City. Along with this change, the SR 85 was also shifted off of Veteran's Parkway within Columbus slightly west to its current routing along 2nd Avenue south of Manchester Expressway.<ref name="GDOT 1976">{{Cite GDOT map|inset=Columbus|year=1976|accessdate=June 26, 2025}}</ref> On June 4, 1987, both SR 85 and SR 219 were removed from the bridge over the border and SR 85 was made to end at its current southern terminus at the intersection of 14th Street and Veteran's Parkway.<ref name="GDOT 1985">{{Cite GDOT map|year=1985|inset=Columbus|accessdate=June 26, 2025}}</ref>
==Special routes==
===Alternate route=== {{Expand section|1=a route description|date=December 2019}} {{Infobox road small |state=GA |type=SR-Alt |route=85 |location=South of Shiloh to Woodbury |length_mi=18.7 |length_round=1 |length_ref=<ref name="Google Alternate">{{Google maps |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=GA-85+Alt+N%2FUS-27+Alt+N%2FWarm+Springs+Rd&daddr=32.8694489,-84.678384+to:Unknown+road&hl=en&ll=32.898038,-84.633865&spn=0.348802,0.441513&sll=32.993997,-84.573363&sspn=0.001361,0.001725&geocode=FXMt9AEdZrLz-g%3BFUiM9QEdEOnz-im1Sp_kBFzziDFONnUKwU7LKQ%3BFXV09wEdCIX1-g&oq=Sh&mra=mift&mrsp=2&sz=19&via=1&t=m&z=11 |title=Overview map of SR 85 Alt. |link=no |access-date=July 21, 2013 }}</ref> |formed=1995<ref name="GDOT 1995"/><ref name="GDOT 1996"/> }}
'''State Route 85 Alternate''' ('''SR 85 Alt.''') is a {{convert|18.7|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} alternate route of SR 85 that connects the Shiloh and Woodbury areas, via Warm Springs. From its southern terminus to Warm Springs, it is concurrent with U.S. Route 27 Alternate (US 27 Alt.).<ref name="Google Alternate"/>
The highway that would eventually become SR 85 Alt. was established in 1930, SR 85 was established from south of Shiloh to SR 41 in Warm Springs, with the Muscogee County portion and a small portion just slightly north of the Muscogee–Harris county line having a completed hard surface.<ref name="GDOT 1929-10"/><ref name="GDOT 1930-06"/> By the middle of 1933, the portion of the highway from about Ellerslie to Warm Springs had a "sand clay or top soil" surface.<ref name="GDOT 1932-11"/><ref name="GDOT 1933-05"/> The next year, the segment of the highway just south-southwest of Warm Springs was shifted westward to a curve into the city.<ref name="GDOT 1934-04"/><ref name="GDOT 1934-10"/> At the end of 1936, two segments were under construction: around Shiloh and just west-southwest of Warm Springs.<ref name="GDOT 1936-10"/><ref name="GDOT 1937-01"/> By the middle of the year, a portion from approximately halfway between Waverly Hall and Shiloh to Warm Springs was under construction.<ref name="GDOT 1937-04"/><ref name="GDOT 1937-07"/> Near the end of the year, the entire highway from Columbus to just south-southwest of Waverly Hall had a completed hard surface. A portion north-northeast of Waverly Hall was under construction, while the rest of the Waverly Hall–Warm Springs segment had completed grading, but was not surfaced.<ref name="GDOT 1937-07"/><ref name="GDOT 1937-10"/> By mid-1939, a small portion just south of Waverly Hall had a completed hard surface.<ref name="GDOT 1938-09"/><ref name="GDOT 1939-07"/> The year ended with the segment from Waverly Hall to Warm Springs having a completed hard surface.<ref name="GDOT 1939-10"/><ref name="GDOT 1940-01"/>
In 1940, SR 163 was built from Warm Springs to Woodbury.<ref name="GDOT 1940-04"/><ref name="GDOT 1940-10"/> By the middle of 1941, SR 163's segment just northeast of Warm Springs was under construction.<ref name="GDOT 1941-04"/><ref name="GDOT 1941-07"/> In 1942, a portion of SR 163 northeast of Warm Springs had completed grading, but was not surfaced.<ref name="GDOT 1942-01"/><ref name="GDOT 1943-01"/> By the end of 1946, SR 85 was shifted eastward to a more direct path between Columbus and Manchester. Its old path between south of Shiloh and Warm Springs was redesignated as a southerly extension of SR 163.<ref name="GDOT 1945-01"/><ref name="GDOT 1946"/> By the middle of 1950, US 27 Alt. was designated on SR 163 from south of Shiloh to Warm Springs.<ref name="GDOT 1949"/><ref name="GDOT 1950"/> By 1952, SR 163 was redesignated as SR 85W.<ref name="GDOT 1950"/><ref name="GDOT 1952"/> That year, SR 85W's segment south of Warm Springs was reverted to being designated as SR 163.<ref name="GDOT 1952"/><ref name="GDOT 1953-01"/> The next year, this was undone. Also, the segment of SR 85W from Warm Springs to Woodbury had completed grading, but was not surfaced.<ref name="GDOT 1953-01"/><ref name="GDOT 1953"/> By the middle of 1955, this segment was hard surfaced.<ref name="GDOT 1954"/><ref name="GDOT 1955"/> Between 1960 and 1963, US 27 Alt. was shifted eastward off of SR 85W and onto SR 85E.<ref name="GDOT 1960"/><ref name="GDOT 1963"/> About thirty-three years later, SR 85W was redesignated as SR 85 Alt.<ref name="GDOT 1995"/><ref name="GDOT 1996"/>
{{jcttop|state=GA|length_ref=<ref name="Google Alternate"/>}} {{GAint |county1=Harris |county2=Talbot |location=none |mile=0.0 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|US-Alt|27|dir1=south|SR|85|nolink2=y|SR|116|dir3=east|city1=Columbus|city2=Manchester}} |notes=Southern terminus; southern end of US 27 Alt. and SR 116 concurrencies }} {{GAint |county=Harris |location=Shiloh |ctdab=Harris |mile=1.8 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|116|dir1=west|road|Ashmore Road east|city1=Hamilton}} |notes=Northern end of SR 116 concurrency; western terminus of Ashmore Road }} {{jctco|state=GA|county=Talbot}} {{Jctint |state=GA |county=Meriwether |cspan=5 |location=none |mile=5.0 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|190|name1=Pine Mountain Highway|location1=Pine Mountain|city2=Manchester|location3=F.D. Roosevelt State Park|location4=Pine Mountain Trail}} }} {{GAint |location=Warm Springs |mile=8.5 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=GA|US-Alt|27|dir1=north|SR|41|name2=Spring Street|city1=Greenville|city2=Manchester|location3=Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery|location4=Roosevelt Rehab. Inst.}} |notes=Northern end of US 27 Alt. concurrency }} {{GAint |location=none |mile=12.9 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|173|dir1=south|name1=Raleigh Road|city1=Raleigh}} |notes=Northern terminus of SR 173 }} {{GAint |location=Woodbury |lspan=2 |mile=17.1 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|18|SR|109|name2=Main Street|city1=Greenville|city2=Molena}} }} {{GAint |mile=18.7 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|74|SR|85|nolink2=y|name2=Oakland Road|city1=Thomaston|city2=Gay}} |notes=Northern terminus }} {{jctbtm|keys=concur}} {{Clear}}
===Spur route=== {{Expand section|1=a route description|date=December 2019}} {{Infobox road small |state=GA |type=SR-Spur |route=85 |location=Manchester |length_mi=0.8 |length_round=1 |length_ref=<ref name="Google Manchester Spur">{{Google maps |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Perry+St&daddr=Truitt+St&hl=en&ll=32.857978,-84.615755&spn=0.009571,0.013797&sll=32.857198,-84.60983&sspn=0.001196,0.001725&geocode=FX1n9QEdQsv0-g%3BFaFb9QEdN_T0-g&oq=Forest&dirflg=h&mra=dme&mrsp=1&sz=19&t=m&z=16 |title=Overview map of SR 85 Spur |link=no |access-date=July 22, 2013 }}</ref> |formed=1946<ref name="GDOT 1945-01"/><ref name="GDOT 1946"/> }}
'''State Route 85 Spur''' ('''SR 85 Spur''') is a spur route of SR 85 that exists completely within the city limits of Manchester. It connects SR 41 (North 5th Avenue) with the SR 85 mainline. It is used to bypass downtown Manchester.<ref name="Google Manchester Spur"/>
By the end of 1946, SR 85 Spur was built in Manchester from SR 41 to SR 85.<ref name="GDOT 1945-01"/><ref name="GDOT 1946"/>
{{jcttop|state=GA|county=Meriwether|location=Manchester|length_ref=<ref name="Google Manchester Spur"/>}} {{GAint |mile=0.0 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|41|name1=Fifth Avenue|city1=Woodland|city2=Warm Springs}} |notes=Western terminus }} {{GAint |mile=0.8 |road={{jct|state=GA|SR|85|nolink1=y|name1=Truitt Street south / Foster Street east|location1=Pine Mountain|city2=Waverly Hall|city3=Woodbury}} |notes=Eastern terminus; SR 85 takes on Truitt Street name. }} {{jctbtm}} {{Clear}}
==See also== * {{portal-inline|Georgia (U.S. state)}} * {{portal-inline|U.S. roads}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Commons category-inline}} {{Attached KML}} * [http://georgiaroads.tripod.com/gahwy5.htm Georgia Roads (Routes 81 - 100)] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100717183613/http://www.state-ends.com/georgia/008500/ Georgia State Route 85 on State-Ends.com]
085 Category:Transportation in Muscogee County, Georgia Category:Transportation in Harris County, Georgia Category:Transportation in Talbot County, Georgia Category:Transportation in Meriwether County, Georgia Category:Transportation in Coweta County, Georgia Category:Transportation in Fayette County, Georgia Category:Transportation in Clayton County, Georgia Category:Transportation in Columbus, Georgia Category:Columbus metropolitan area, Georgia