One Year After GA400 Tolls - 15% Traffic Spike, Toll Savings Squandered in Fuel Consumption (Atlanta: 2014, tax)

[jsvh]

Cheapskate Highway - Curbed Atlanta

The AJC reports that traffic on the corridor has spiked 15 percent from a year ago, now that we don't have to part with precious quarters. Unfortunately, the increase in use coincides with more development along the Ga. Highway 400 corridor, likely meaning more traffic, which means we might see our savings squandered in fuel consumption.

Gridlock Guy: Anniversary of toll ending shows increased traffic | www.ajc.com

Almost one year ago, Nov. 21, 2013 the last toll was collected on Ga. 400. It marked the end of a 20-year collection on the state highway. As the last 50 cent toll was collected Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal beamed.

...

“We predicted an increase in the range of 10 percent to 18 percent after the removal of the tolls on Ga. 400 last year,” Natalie Dale, spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Transportation said. “Since that time, there has been approximately 10,000 more motorists choosing to use this corridor- an increase from 65,000 to 75,000 per day in one direction.”

[sedimenjerry]

That and the new ramp from 400 to 85N. I started going that way instead of taking 285 east to 85. It's almost always quicker despite adding several miles. For the drivers that already drove 400 they might use more gas but for the people who used to take side streets or had to get off 400 to get to 85, the little bit of congestion added is probably better than the stop lights and yielding to turn they had to do previously.

[afdinatl]

They are talking about me. I refused to ride on 400 until the toll was lifted. I refused to give then my hard earned money.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by afdinatl

They are talking about me. I refused to ride on 400 until the toll was lifted. I refused to give then my hard earned money.

And people wonder why traffic is so bad in Atlanta? Drivers don't want to pay for roads.

[afdinatl]

Originally Posted by jsvh

And people wonder why traffic is so bad in Atlanta? Drivers don't want to pay for roads.

That isn't our culture down here. We don't pay for tolls. Leave that to the other cities

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by afdinatl

That isn't our culture down here. We don't pay for tolls. Leave that to the other cities

Haha. Like it or not, your free-riding days are over. The Federal Tax money that the suburbs have been suckling from is drying up. Enjoy spending your time and gas money sitting in traffic.

[hautemomma]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Haha. Like it or not, your free-riding days are over. The Federal Tax money that the suburbs have been suckling from is drying up. Enjoy spending your time and gas money sitting in traffic.

Why are you so "concerned" with the 5 million Atlanta area residents who live in the suburbs? You really seem to have a persistent issue with them. Surely someone on here may be able to refer you to a counselor or other external support to address your compulsion with this matter.

[afdinatl]

[quote=jsvh;3736424toha. Like it or not, your free-riding days are over. The Federal Tax money that the suburbs have been suckling from is drying up. Enjoy spending your time and gas money sitting in traffic.[/QUOTE]

False.

GA does not have any toll roads. People who say otherwise do not know the difference between a hot lane and a toll roads. Atlanta will never have a toll road.


I will never pay a toll in Ga.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by sedimenjerry

That and the new ramp from 400 to 85N. I started going that way instead of taking 285 east to 85. It's almost always quicker despite adding several miles. For the drivers that already drove 400 they might use more gas but for the people who used to take side streets or had to get off 400 to get to 85, the little bit of congestion added is probably better than the stop lights and yielding to turn they had to do previously.

Unfortunately, I don't see any reduced traffic on the side streets in that area. I was hoping for some relief.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by afdinatl

False.

GA does not have any toll roads. People who say otherwise do not know the difference between a hot lane and a toll roads. Atlanta will never have a toll road.


I will never pay a toll in Ga.

A HOT lane is just a pay per use lane while a toll road is a pay per use road. Not much difference if you ask me. Unless I'm missing something..

Also, I'm not a huge fan of toll roads either, but I hope you're wrong about Atlanta NEVER having another toll road. There is just too much traffic not to have one. It'll only get worse as the population increases.

Finally, I'll say this.. The 400 toll was an incredible bargain compared to other toll roads. I personally think it is dumb to spend more in gas money driving around it just to avoid paying 50 cents. And again, I'm no fan of tolls.