The planned 285/400 interchange redesign

[architect77]

Originally Posted by testa50

I actually agree with this somewhat. Although I think we need to take a different approach to building new limited access capacity instead of new, greenfield roadways.

I think we need to upgrade existing arterial roads into superarterials, and charge tolls to use the limited access lanes. I wrote extensively on my blog about this, but one corridor which looks especially suitable is Highway 92 between I-75 over to 400. That would be a gamechanger for congestion on the northside. And it would serve already-developed areas, rather than undeveloped areas.

Instead we just continue to make minor, but still extremely expensive, upgrades to existing limited access roads.

I agree. GA-20 seems to also be a candidate, though I haven't ever driven it. North Carolina is implementing this strategy with its "Superstreets" program. It's a conversion that includes some limiting of access and elimination of left turn signals by making left-turn motorists do a "Michigan Left".

Kudos though to GDOT adopting the Diverging Diamond interchange. It seems to have really helped at Ashoford Dunwoody and I-285

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

i also noticed mr. Anti-transit money-saver gtcorndog voted to redesign the whole thing. Where's your fiscal responsibility?

Originally Posted by cqholt

that only applies to transit projects.

LOL! It is amazing how two standards can apply...

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by ATL Golfer

Is a new interchange suppose to simply help the congestion that backs up onto 285 Eastbound? I assume make it less dangerous to get onto GA400 coming that direction as well.

Here is the deal with the first issue. No matter how easily you can flow onto GA400, GA400 is a parking lot and will still have issues of creating congestion on 285 and other streets. If there is no where to go, there is no where to go. Also, 285 is typically backed up to from Spaghetti Junction to Ashford Dunwoody anyhow.

Bottom line with Atlanta traffic. You have too many drivers that are not very good at driving. You aren't going to solve that issue. Traffic is here to stay.

And that is the problem. If they spend hundreds of millions of dollars on the 285/400 interchange but do little else, it's just going to pass the problems upstream. 400 in North Fulton will return to being the mess it once was, and don't even think about what will happen to 285.

[NY2ATL2NY]

Has Anyone said how Long and redesign would take? I figur at least 5-10 years...By then that much more traffic will be using it...I can already see traffi headaches...Im not against making the intersection better...but its gonna take soooo long it aint funny...

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

I'm not a civil engineer, so it's hard for me to say especially because I don't use that interchange often.

But I can say that the 285E to 400N ramp is totally laughable and an accident waiting to happen....except I'm positive it must be thousands of accidents that have already happened.

I so agree. The whole thing is a nightmare. There simply isn't enough merging room for the volume of vehicles going at that speed.
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