Alright, I'll tentatively support the Northern Arc. (Atlanta, Dallas: legally, statistics)

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by GeorgiatoChina

Yeah, I think just some simple 4 lane or even a large country road that goes east to west would be perfect.

No need for a expensive 8+ lane high way that will just encouraged sprawl. Just a way to get from Duluth to Marieta or 85 to 75 without using 285.
Something like Peachtree industrial or Buford HYW with less or no lights and about 50-65 mph speed limit. That's totally doable and would serve as a way for residents on the north end to do east to west commuting while trucks and such traveling through can keep using 285.

That's actually not a bad idea. It would give trucks and people a bypass if they wanted it, it wouldn't eat as much right-of-way, it could be partially integrated with existing highways, and it wouldn't cause as much sprawl. Also, I recommend adding access lanes like on I-85 to keep the access to this highway low.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by GeorgiatoChina

This is a perfect idea. I think it's a good medium as all people want is an alternative to 285. It can be multiple roads and upgrades or even a grid system that goes from 85 to 75. No need for a large freeway. It's the perfect and inexpensive middle ground that won't encourage sprawl and won't destroy (many) homes.

Why hasn't this been proposed. Why does it have to be a 8 lane freeway or nothing?

What then is 120 from Marietta to Roswell? What is 92 from Woodstock to Roswell to Norcross? These are state roads that are 6 lanes wide with a median and a gazillion stop lights. Why do any of you think this will help? Is it helping now?

What grid system? You know you are talking about East Cobb, Woodstock, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, Duluth, Norcross, etc, etc? Are you proposing we bulldoze all these tony neighborhoods and put in a grid system?

[GeorgiatoChina]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

What then is 120 from Marietta to Roswell? What is 92 from Woodstock to Roswell to Norcross? These are state roads that are 6 lanes wide with a median and a gazillion stop lights. Why do any of you think this will help? Is it helping now?

What grid system? You know you are talking about East Cobb, Woodstock, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, Duluth, Norcross, etc, etc? Are you proposing we bulldoze all these tony neighborhoods and put in a grid system?

Those roads are nothing like Peachtree Industrial or Buford Highway. They still have way too many stop lights as you mentioned and on top of that they are the only east to west connection. If you are talking about putting a huge freeway where there are neighborhoods that's much worse then modifying some roads. People want more alternatives but there is no need for another super highway.

[GeorgiatoChina]

Plus those roads are at all direct. They take huge jumps before actually reaching 75 from 85.

[GeorgiatoChina]

What's the percentage or amount of people commuting from Cobb to Gwinette anyway? Is it enough to justify a a whole freeway?

[Hawknest]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

I understand your line of logic, but when discussing transit

Metra is a commuter rail, the chicago El, DC Metro, and ATL's MARTA is heavy rail.

The heavy rail requires full grade separation, but it is higher capacity and can start and stop much more rapidly.

Light rail often looks like large street cars. They are lower and lighter in profile and can operate on streets.

The move less people and often can't start and stop as fast.

Metra is HEAVY rail - 150#/ft rail - quarter mile sections welded together with cow and calf (sometimes) EMD units. Heavy like AMTRAK

Marta is like the EL - light rail (100#/ft rail)

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by Hawknest

Metra is HEAVY rail - 150#/ft rail - quarter mile sections welded together with cow and calf (sometimes) EMD units. Heavy like AMTRAK

Marta is like the EL - light rail (100#/ft rail)

No,

In terms of passenger rail terminology for transit systems Metra is commuter rail and the EL with an electrified third rail is heavy rail. The El can move more people with faster stops and starts.

You will get confused on forums about transit initiatives otherwise...

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by GeorgiatoChina

Those roads are nothing like Peachtree Industrial or Buford Highway. They still have way too many stop lights as you mentioned and on top of that they are the only east to west connection. If you are talking about putting a huge freeway where there are neighborhoods that's much worse then modifying some roads. People want more alternatives but there is no need for another super highway.

You know what...you're right. The Northern Arc would HAVE to be a limited-access highway, and a VERY limited one at that. As in, no more than one exit every five miles or so. This needs to be a thru highway more than anything else.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by toll_booth

That's actually not a bad idea. It would give trucks and people a bypass if they wanted it, it wouldn't eat as much right-of-way, it could be partially integrated with existing highways, and it wouldn't cause as much sprawl. Also, I recommend adding access lanes like on I-85 to keep the access to this highway low.

Limited access, definitely. 1 or 2 lanes in each direction? That would be pointless. I'd give it at least 3 in each direction or else you'd end up with something along the lines of 316. Total gridlock. That defeats the purpose.

I would also give it a designated truck lane for those big rigs. That would definitely go a long way.

If there is enough room, I would add ROW for some type of transit as well.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by GeorgiatoChina

Those roads are nothing like Peachtree Industrial or Buford Highway. They still have way too many stop lights as you mentioned and on top of that they are the only east to west connection. If you are talking about putting a huge freeway where there are neighborhoods that's much worse then modifying some roads. People want more alternatives but there is no need for another super highway.

Then please, please tell me what this middle ground solution is. You want a road that will connect 75 and 85 on the northside. you want it to not be huge, you don't want it to be a freeway, you don't want it to have a lot of stop lights, you don't want it to have limited access (or do you?), you want it on a grid, you don't want it to destroy a lot of homes and businesses.

What does this look like? Where will it go? Give me an example of what you are proposing that already exists anywhere in Atlanta?

My proposal would look much like Ronald Reagan Parkway in Gwinnett. Limited access, 4 lanes minimum but 6 would be better, require tree buffers and sound barrier at neighborhoods, space out interchanges reasonably... not too many, but enough for locals to enter and exit.

This would not take anymore land area than Highway 92 thru Cherokee, Cobb and Fulton, but would require all that limited access requires... no grade crossings, no traffic lights... a true freeway.