GDOT speeds construction of new toll lanes with Gwinnett agreement (Atlanta: 2014, vs)

[Airforceguy]

GDOT speeds construction of new toll lanes with Gwinnett agreement - Atlanta Business Chronicle

[skbl17]

In my opinion, this should have been the I-85 HOT lane project between Shallowford and GA 317. I have no qualms about HOT lanes, but I didn't like how GDOT simply decided to convert the existing HOV lanes to HOT lanes.

- skbl17

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by skbl17

In my opinion, this should have been the I-85 HOT lane project between Shallowford and GA 317. I have no qualms about HOT lanes, but I didn't like how GDOT simply decided to convert the existing HOV lanes to HOT lanes.

- skbl17

Is there any more room in the current ROW to build more lanes?

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Is there any more room in the current ROW to build more lanes?

The long-term plan is to build them to two HOT lanes as they build the whole region-wide system.

The two additional lanes are in one of the middle phases.



skb,

I know some people don't like it.

The HOV conversion was bound to happen from congestion it would become HOV-3, which would leave left over capacity. So now its HOV3+HOT.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

The long-term plan is to build them to two HOT lanes as they build the whole region-wide system.

The two additional lanes are in one of the middle phases.

How are they going to add another HOT lane on 85? There is simply no room where HOT is now.

Past Suwanee, sure, but not south.

Also, auxiliary lanes? I thought Suwanee and Mall of Georgia exits already had those?

Honestly, as long as a lane is added, whether it be HOT or not, ANYTHING is needed on 85 in North Gwinnett. It is THAT bad.

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by WanderingImport

How are they going to add another HOT lane on 85? There is simply no room where HOT is now.

Past Suwanee, sure, but not south.

Also, auxiliary lanes? I thought Suwanee and Mall of Georgia exits already had those?

Honestly, as long as a lane is added, whether it be HOT or not, ANYTHING is needed on 85 in North Gwinnett. It is THAT bad.

It is no harder than what they did to widen the connector downtown a few years back.

There is a reason these projects are in the billions.


I don't think there is one south from GA20. You have to merge onto the mainlines.

I think any expansions wider than 4-5 lanes need to be HOT. While unpopular because you do have to pay to use them, they are designed to make sure the maximum number of cars can use them during peak periods .. vs congestion just making them an inefficient parking lot.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

I think any expansions wider than 4-5 lanes need to be HOT. While unpopular because you do have to pay to use them, they are designed to make sure the maximum number of cars can use them during peak periods .. vs congestion just making them an inefficient parking lot.

I'm not opposed to HOT lanes, but I would hope that at some point, funds collected from the future HOT lane expansion to Hamilton Mill would be enough to pay for a free lane or two past Suwanee.

Also glad to hear there will be more than one HOT lane.

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by WanderingImport

I'm not opposed to HOT lanes, but I would hope that at some point, funds collected from the future HOT lane expansion to Hamilton Mill would be enough to pay for a free lane or two past Suwanee.

Also glad to hear there will be more than one HOT lane.

Sadly, I don't think that will ever be the case.

The current estimates for the metrowide network, is that tolls will eventually pay for half of just the tolled lanes expansion.

Only time will tell if that estimate is overly optimistic or too conservative of a figure.

[MattCW]

So would I be correct in assuming a 50% recovery ratio?