I-285 toll lanes could harm Dunwoody (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: how much, home, contractors)

[cqholt]

$5B is ludacris cost that will not relieve congestion. We need a change of thought at the top of GDOT.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by cqholt

$5B is ludacris cost that will not relieve congestion. We need a change of thought at the top of GDOT.

Your ire should be directed towards the Governor/General Assembly on this.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by MItoATL

Are we sure about the quoted $5B cost of the project? The I-75 expressway (NW Express corridor) cost us $834M which is about 30 miles. I doubt the similar construction (but twice the number of lanes) might take almost five times the cost. However the I-285 top end express lane project is part of the Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) which includes several other such projects. I'm wondering if the reported $5B tag is for the entirety of the MMIP.

I'm believing it may be accurate because unlike the I-75 lanes, these lanes will not be reversible meaning they will be installed on both sides of the highway. I believe they will be installed above the shoulder lanes of each side meaning there will be two new alignments (one for eastbound lanes and one for westbound lanes). Then add the fact that they will be elevated for their entire length and the amount of reworks they will have to do maneuver them around existing infrastructure.. ..its going to be expensive and unsightly when its finished.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

Not understanding why this state is willing to throw 5 billion away at HOT lanes but cant add even a mile of MARTA rail or implement Heavy Rail.

You realize we're talking about Georgia, right?

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

I'm believing it may be accurate because unlike the I-75 lanes, these lanes will not be reversible meaning they will be installed on both sides of the highway. I believe they will be installed above the shoulder lanes of each side meaning there will be two new alignments (one for eastbound lanes and one for westbound lanes). Then add the fact that they will be elevated for their entire length and the amount of reworks they will have to do maneuver them around existing infrastructure.. ..its going to be expensive and unsightly when its finished.

This all sounds awful.

[Gulch]

GDOT has no clear answers for Dunwoody residents worried about I-285 toll lanes impacts

Dunwoody residents living in the Georgetown community will likely have to wait until the end of this year before learning how new toll lanes along I-285 may affect their homes, businesses and also a historic recreation center.

That was the message Georgia Department of Transportation representatives told more than 60 residents who gathered at City Hall on Jan. 22.

The meeting, arranged by City Councilmember Lynn Deutsch for the Georgetown residents, provided them with background of the “I-285 Top End Express Lanes” project that is slated to begin construction in 2023. But questions about right of way acquisition, if and when barriers would be built to buffer interstate traffic noise, and where planned elevated toll lanes would be built went largely unanswered.

The I-285 Top End Express Lanes project, estimated to cost close to $5 billion, focuses on adding two new elevated, barrier-separated express lanes in both directions on I-285, alongside regular travel lanes. They could stand 30 feet or higher. GDOT says the added toll lanes would alleviate traffic on one of the most heavily traveled and congested highways in the country by allowing motorists to pay a fee to drive in less congested lanes.

More than three miles of I-285 Top End Express Lanes would be located in Dunwoody.

New toll lanes, called “express lanes” or “managed lanes,” are also planned for Ga. 400 in the Perimeter Center area over the next decade, with the intent of improving overall traffic flow. Parts of both projects are expected to be elevated toll lanes to use existing right of way. The Ga. 400 lanes also would carry a new MARTA bus rapid transit route.

Construction of those toll lanes is slated to begin in 2021 and open to traffic 2024.

The I-285 top end toll lanes and Ga. 400 toll lanes are separate projects from the “Transform 285/400” project now underway. Transform 285/400 is essentially reorganizing and rebuilding the I-285/Ga. 400 interchange to make traffic flow faster and safer. It is expected to be finished in 2020.

[ATLTJL]

Expect more of the same for the next 4 years with Kemp. You get what you get.... You voted for him (at least, most of Georgia did).

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

Expect more of the same for the next 4 years with Kemp. You get what you get.... You voted for him (at least, most of Georgia did).

These lanes were likely going to happen even if Abrams did get elected.

[fourthwarden]

Bus system best option for I-285 transit, consultants tell Sandy Springs | Reporter Newspaper

A new bus system running along the planned I-285 toll lanes is the most feasible solution to provide east and west connectivity in the area, transportation consultants working with several cities along the interstate said in a report at the Sandy Springs City Council Jan. 22 retreat.

The study assumes the bus system would be unable to use the toll lane access points and would need to have its own. Building those would cost $300 million to $480 million depending on how far the project goes, the consultants said. The vehicle would cost another $10 million. Maintenance and operations would cost $5 to $8 million, they said.

There are times when I wish this site wouldn't censor swear words, because I could use a whole host of them right about now.

I-285 is turning into an even worse version of transit on GA-400. The per-mile estimates are already much higher for the HOT lanes than to just build heavy rail, and now they're talking about throwing an additional few hundred million into the pile for much lower quality BRT.

I've already put a dent in my desk where my head hits it, and more of this idiocy and I might just break through the chip-board.

[NC2ATL60]

I wish they would do something already. Traffic through the perimeter area is AWFUL and gets worst daily.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

Bus system best option for I-285 transit, consultants tell Sandy Springs | Reporter Newspaper





There are times when I wish this site wouldn't censor swear words, because I could use a whole host of them right about now.

I-285 is turning into an even worse version of transit on GA-400. The per-mile estimates are already much higher for the HOT lanes than to just build heavy rail, and now they're talking about throwing an additional few hundred million into the pile for much lower quality BRT.

I've already put a dent in my desk where my head hits it, and more of this idiocy and I might just break through the chip-board.

One of the points in toll lanes is to help pay for routes for express buses and carpools. It needs to be designed with those in mind.

I doubt there is enough demand for rail in that corridor. It would be wasted capacity. Buses could easily handle it. There are a lot more people who couldn't use rail who could benefit from the toll road. Spending billions to benefit 5% of the traffic or spending billions + a few hundred million to benefit 100% of the traffic?>