GDOT says it will open I-75/I-575 Cobb/Cherokee toll lanes by end of summer (Atlanta: 2014, construction)

[Born 2 Roll]

GDOT (Georgia Department of Transportation) apparently is saying that the variable toll reversible express lanes along Interstates 75 and 575 Northwest through Cobb and Cherokee counties will open by the end of summer.

The I-75/I-575 Northwest Corridor, as the project is officially named, is both one of the most expensive and one of the most high-profile road construction and transportation projects in Georgia's history at a cost of about $834 million.

From WABE/NPR 90.1 FM Atlanta:

The Georgia Department of Transportation says it plans to finish its project with the highest price tag to date by the end of summer.

The Northwest Corridor project, which started in 2014, has a price tag of nearly $834 million. The express lanes will run along parts of I-75 and I-575 in Atlanta’s northern suburbs.

"Drivers Will Soon Be Able To Cruise New Express Lanes In Metro Atlanta" (WABE/NPR 90.1 FM Atlanta)
https://www.wabe.org/drivers-will-so...metro-atlanta/

[primaltech]

Won't really do all that much good until someday when the I-285 top end express lanes are also open, directly feeding to/from these lanes.

Also the ITP I-75 HOV needs to convert to a managed express toll lane. With a new ramp at 15th St in Midtown.

[Born 2 Roll]

Aerial photographs of the I-75/I-575 Northwest Corridor Express Toll Lanes project taken during the month of January 2018...

"Northwest Corridor Express Lanes: Aerial Photos (January 2018)" (Georgia Department of Transportation)"
GDOTAnnouncementDetails


Updates, highlights and additional photographs from the construction zone of the I-75/I-575 Northwest Corridor Express Toll Lanes project from January 2018...

"Northwest Corridor Express Lanes: Construction Progress Highlights from January 2018" (Georgia Department of Transportation)
GDOTAnnouncementDetails

[PKCorey]

Pretty much, they are right on schedule.

I would love to see if the northern portion will have more users vs the southside express lanes.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by primaltech

Won't really do all that much good until someday when the I-285 top end express lanes are also open, directly feeding to/from these lanes.

Also the ITP I-75 HOV needs to convert to a managed express toll lane. With a new ramp at 15th St in Midtown.

Those are really good points.

The State of Georgia already has plans (or at the very least, the intention) to execute the projects you describe.

The challenge is that, even with a noticeable rise in motor fuel tax collections implemented by the Georgia Legislature just about 3 years ago, the State of Georgia still does not have the funds to execute such road/transportation projects that in the timely manner that may be needed.

At this point in time, it is still expected to take many years to execute the construction and completion of both the construction of the Top End I-285 Perimeter Express Lanes and the conversion of the existing I-75 HOV-2 lanes to managed express toll lanes.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

Pretty much, they are right on schedule.

I would love to see if the northern portion will have more users vs the southside express lanes.

The I-75/I-575 Northwest toll lanes in Cobb and Cherokee counties should have many more users than the Southside express lanes along I-75 South in Henry County just simply because of the higher volumes of traffic along I-75 North and because of the much heavier amount of development and much higher population in Cobb County (about 750,000 residents) than in Henry County (about 222,000 residents).

[Need4Camaro]

Im not against the toll lanes but overall their impact vs the actual cost of construction will be extremely negligible in that region to the decree where I feel it was truly a waste of money and time. Better idea would have been to find a way to divert trucks away from I-285 and bring transit up to Cobb.

That stated, it looks like it will be a cool drive on those bridges. Reminds me of a theme park ride with the way its continously dodging over ramps and overpasses. I am expecting that these lanes will see alot more use than the ones in Henry County.

[MattCW]

Can we sue GDOT over this boondoggle? It's a pretty clear misuse of public funds.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Can we sue GDOT over this boondoggle? It's a pretty clear misuse of public funds.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

Pretty much, they are right on schedule.

I would love to see if the northern portion will have more users vs the southside express lanes.

Yes if only because the population is larger in Cobb and Cherokee Counties than Southside.