New interchanges, widening are concerns with proposed managed lanes projects on I-285 and GA 400 (Atlanta: how much, subdivision)

[primaltech]

If they extended the line from North Springs to Windward, with 5 new stations, MARTA usage in general across the system would probably about double. Because of the network effect.

For example, people who live in Roswell and work right at Dunwoody MARTA station, currently would have no use in MARTA, but would probably ride every day if there was a station at Holcomb Bridge.

Or people who live in Milton or South Forsyth and work near Buckhead MARTA. Currently they're not likely to save any time or hassle by taking MARTA for the last 1/3 of their commute. I don't see why they'd bother with that. But if the line went to Windward, they'd never drive.

MARTA in general would add so many riders with that extension, in both directions. When you consider Avalon and other potential TOD at the new stations, it just needs to happen so badly.

Not saying the managed lanes wouldn't also be good to have, but do NOT do that in place of heavy rail. And no BRT, either.

[arjay57]

Rush hour traffic on the top end 285 reminds me of Jerry Clower's story about Marcel Ledbetter treeing a bobcat.

[MikeHonchoATL]

Originally Posted by primaltech

If they extended the line from North Springs to Windward, with 5 new stations, MARTA usage in general across the system would probably about double. Because of the network effect.

Congrats. You have reached cqholt's level of transit fantasyland.

What a ridiculous post.

[cqholt]

Glad to see Mayor Rusty Paul, of a North Fulton suburb, pushing for transit.

[MattCW]

I'll jump on the bandwagon and give a solid NO to any ridiculous managed lanes. Spend that money on transit and get a far higher RoI!

[JMatl]

Originally Posted by MikeHonchoATL

Congrats. You have reached cqholt's level of transit fantasyland.

What a ridiculous post.

And you know it is 'transit fantasyland' how?

Thankfully, you sure as hell don't speak for North Fulton.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Agreed. (I know that probably shocks you) This idea looks terrible.

Extend the red line up through Roswell to Alpharetta. And go much further than just a top-end arc. How about a big northside loop that covers Perimeter, Sandy Springs, Cumberland, Vinings, West Village, Bolton, West Midtown, Arts Center, Emory, Northlake, and Doraville. And extend the Gold line up to at least Norcross. I know I would use the hell out of all that, even though if they started building it today, I'd be dead before it was finished.

Not sure that turn in downtown works. You could have the green line become a big circle, up to Cumberland, across 285 N, down the Gold to Lindberg and then through Emory.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by MattCW

I'll jump on the bandwagon and give a solid NO to any ridiculous managed lanes. Spend that money on transit and get a far higher RoI!

Managed lanes serve more people because MARTA doesn't go everywhere.

But in the case of 400, if you have to choose, you probably put heavy rail as the managed lanes likely can't go south of 285 because of space issues. So you either route them over to 75 or 85, which are long detours, limiting their effectiveness.

[MikeHonchoATL]

Originally Posted by JMatl

And you know it is 'transit fantasyland' how?

Thankfully, you sure as hell don't speak for North Fulton.

The idea that it would double MARTA's ridership is nothing but pure fantasy.

If you believe it would double ridership, you are a moron.

[jsvh]

"Yo dawg, heard you like traffic. So I put a highway in your highway so you can sit in traffic while you sit in traffic."