I-75 South Metro Reversible Toll Lanes(Stockbridge, McDonough,Locust Grove, Clayton County)Traffic Improvement or Bust (Canton: high schools, shops)

[oobanks]

Been watching this project come together more and more by the week... I'm just puzzled and it's still a Mystery to me as to how they will be able to clear these tight walled in lanes when there is an Accident.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by oobanks

Been watching this project come together more and more by the week... I'm just puzzled and it's still a Mystery to me as to how they will be able to clear these tight walled in lanes when there is an Accident.

They will just shut down the lanes on the other side of the crash and have emergency crews come from the other direction opposite the direction of traffic flow where the lanes have been shut down.

[GA5mom]

Originally Posted by oobanks

Been watching this project come together more and more by the week... I'm just puzzled and it's still a Mystery to me as to how they will be able to clear these tight walled in lanes when there is an Accident.

The DOT had an informational booth about the lanes at a Henry County event recently, and I asked that very question. She said in addition to the regular entrance and exit points, there are gates every so often through which emergency vehicles can enter and exit when needed.

Just looking at those tall walls go up makes me claustrophobic!

[oobanks]

Originally Posted by GA5mom

The DOT had an informational booth about the lanes at a Henry County event recently, and I asked that very question. She said in addition to the regular entrance and exit points, there are gates every so often through which emergency vehicles can enter and exit when needed.

Just looking at those tall walls go up makes me claustrophobic!

Yeah, the Area is definitely being made over...Henry is looking way more Urban/Suburban by the day on I-75...

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by oobanks

Yeah, the Area is definitely being made over...Henry is looking way more Urban/Suburban by the day on I-75...

I'd take 75 Henry traffic over Cobb traffic any day.

[Need4Camaro]

My overall opinion, while the idea is cool; this is a big waste of money and will hardly have any impact on the traffic problem. Same thing goes for the Northwest Cooridoor. Thing is though it's doing exactly what GA DOT wants. They're not looking to fix the traffic problem, that is just a cover up. They're looking to provide additional transportation options that the users will have to pay to use so they won't foot the bill. It IS something that is needed (Heck Northern VA near the D.C. district benefits from a very similar setup) but I-75 really needs to be about 4 - 5 lanes each way in that district to handle local traffic. There is too much interstate / commerce / vacation traffic that could easily fill 3 lanes during peak seasons for toll lanes to be of any use plus out of state traffic won't beable to benefit from them unless they have a Sunpass, but then that still adds to a capacity issue as the lanes are still meant for local traffic.

Now here's something that may have worked a bit better (although would have been very expensive)

A local / collector distribution and Express Lane setup much like Garden State Pkwy in New Jersey possesses. Adding 3 additional lanes EACH WAY in the median. Local lanes will remain free to use, Express Lanes have 1 exit for Stockbridge and 1 exit for McDonough (and not Hudson Bridge, GA 138 or any other congested interchange) The express lanes would be tolled, however; the tolls will be much lower than those seen on I-85 due to increased capacity, more vehicles able to use the lanes thus more revenue without needing to jack the price way up. The tolls would not need to be variable either.

All I can say is GADOT is probably doing the best that they can given their options. I will say I won't hesitate to pay to use these lanes either.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

My overall opinion, while the idea is cool; this is a big waste of money and will hardly have any impact on the traffic problem. Same thing goes for the Northwest Cooridoor. Thing is though it's doing exactly what GA DOT wants. They're not looking to fix the traffic problem, that is just a cover up. They're looking to provide additional transportation options that the users will have to pay to use so they won't foot the bill. It IS something that is needed (Heck Northern VA near the D.C. district benefits from a very similar setup) but I-75 really needs to be about 4 - 5 lanes each way in that district to handle local traffic. There is too much interstate / commerce / vacation traffic that could easily fill 3 lanes during peak seasons for toll lanes to be of any use plus out of state traffic won't beable to benefit from them unless they have a Sunpass, but then that still adds to a capacity issue as the lanes are still meant for local traffic.

Now here's something that may have worked a bit better (although would have been very expensive)

A local / collector distribution and Express Lane setup much like Garden State Pkwy in New Jersey possesses. Adding 3 additional lanes EACH WAY in the median. Local lanes will remain free to use, Express Lanes have 1 exit for Stockbridge and 1 exit for McDonough (and not Hudson Bridge, GA 138 or any other congested interchange) The express lanes would be tolled, however; the tolls will be much lower than those seen on I-85 due to increased capacity, more vehicles able to use the lanes thus more revenue without needing to jack the price way up. The tolls would not need to be variable either.

All I can say is GADOT is probably doing the best that they can given their options. I will say I won't hesitate to pay to use these lanes either.

Commuter rail system would go a lot further to helping alleviate congestion.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Commuter rail system would go a lot further to helping alleviate congestion.

I personally would use it over the highways here if they ever finally implemented one that should have been done 25 years ago.

[architect77]

The light poles they chose for southern I-75 reversible lanes are hideous. Standard height poles with tiny angled arm for the light.

Also there is a new sign bridge down there that is as crooked at the one near jimmy carter Blvd.

I'm going to beg GDOT to level up these gantries for years if that's what it takes.

They look like something you'd see on Hee-Haw.

[oobanks]

Originally Posted by architect77

The light poles they chose for southern I-75 reversible lanes are hideous. Standard height poles with tiny angled arm for the light.

Also there is a new sign bridge down there that is as crooked at the one near jimmy carter Blvd.

I'm going to beg GDOT to level up these gantries for years if that's what it takes.

They look like something you'd see on Hee-Haw.

Agreed, the light post do look a little flimsy... But who knows, they may be nice and bright...