Why is evening traffic into Atlanta so horrible? (closing, design)

[sedimenjerry]

The jobs corridor of PC (even north of there), Buckhead, Midtown and Downtown basically makes that stretch "intown" from a commuting perspective (as opposed to just downtown/midtown). TONS of jobs all along that stretch and 285 is a ****show so many take that route to intown Atlanta, the southern burbs and places along I 20. I've checked traffic at the end of rush hour numerous times and it doesn't surprise me. Usually the last 2 places to clear up are the connector and 285EB headed to 85.

Also, in the morning I think the connector/85/400 corridor headed up to Buckhead is worse than the opposite direction. I used to drive 85 all the way down to 75 and head north to Cumberland. By 930 when I was driving through it was indeed worse headed out of downtown/midtown.

[ecuresident]

Downtown it seems like there are 2 choke points, the connector and I-20, its seems like they are redoing the ramps the I-20, is there any plan to expand these 2 areas? I know it would be tough or impossible to add lanes at the connector, but it seems if some additional exit lanes to 20 were added you would cut traffic by at least a 1/4th?

[GatorsZ71]

I would imagine even if Marta expanded people would still drive their cars. Atlanta drivers for the most part are attached to their vehicles lol.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by ecuresident

Downtown it seems like there are 2 choke points, the connector and I-20, its seems like they are redoing the ramps the I-20, is there any plan to expand these 2 areas? I know it would be tough or impossible to add lanes at the connector, but it seems if some additional exit lanes to 20 were added you would cut traffic by at least a 1/4th?

There is no extra ROW for more lanes and it would cause an uproar with intown residents. #NoMoreLanes

[ecuresident]

Originally Posted by cqholt

There is no extra ROW for more lanes and it would cause an uproar with intown residents. #NoMoreLanes

Thats why i was saying adding to the connector would be impossible, but with the exit to 20, is 20 backed up or just the exit? If its more the exit isnt there a way to add an additional exit lane only to help get some of the traffic off 75/85? Once you get passed the 20 exit its normally wide open (going towards the braves stadium).

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by ecuresident

Thats why i was saying adding to the connector would be impossible, but with the exit to 20, is 20 backed up or just the exit? If its more the exit isnt there a way to add an additional exit lane only to help get some of the traffic off 75/85? Once you get passed the 20 exit its normally wide open (going towards the braves stadium).

Too many exit/entrances ramps so close together, that causes weaving and merging.

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by ecuresident

Thats why i was saying adding to the connector would be impossible, but with the exit to 20, is 20 backed up or just the exit? If its more the exit isnt there a way to add an additional exit lane only to help get some of the traffic off 75/85? Once you get passed the 20 exit its normally wide open (going towards the braves stadium).

It's just the exit usually. What needs to happen is an HOV exit onto I-20 so those people don't have to come all the way over.

[jsvh]

We have some of the widest highways in the world and some of the lowest population density for a city our size.

That means traffic since almost everyone is pushed into living & working places where they have no real option except driving everywhere.

https://www.wired.com/2014/06/wuwt-t...nduced-demand/

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by ecuresident

Downtown it seems like there are 2 choke points, the connector and I-20, its seems like they are redoing the ramps the I-20, is there any plan to expand these 2 areas? I know it would be tough or impossible to add lanes at the connector, but it seems if some additional exit lanes to 20 were added you would cut traffic by at least a 1/4th?

I have heard two traffic engineers, both of whom do a lot of consulting in the ATL, say that that worst problem with traffic in Buckhead is the I-20 interchange. You've got so many folks trying to get home from the the big jobs centers on the northside to suburbs on the east, south and west sides and many of them use the downtown connector.

[Atlwarrior]

I think a flyover bridge to connect to I -20 East to the left and not to the right of the connector should be built freeing up a couple more lane for 75/85 traffic going south. What were they thinking to have traffic merge from both the left for those going on I-20 and from the right for those going to 75/85. GDOT were idiots on that one!