Spaghetti Junction tops list of worst bottlenecks (Atlanta, Savannah: 2015, construction)

[jsvh]

Spaghetti Junction tops list of worst freight bottlenecks | Route 666

For those of you that don't remember, this interchange was rebuilt in the late 1980s (on the same scale as the 400 @ 285 interchange we are about to embark on) and was touted as "curing our traffic woes". Just a another example of how you can't build yourself out of traffic congestion, it only makes it worse in the long run. Wonder if we'll ever learn?

[toll_booth]

The 285-east-to-85-north flyover might be singlehandedly responsible for 50% of the problem. It is absurd that all of that traffic has to squeeze into one lane while trying to merge onto 85. And its rather steep grade doesn't help because of all the trucks.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by toll_booth

The 285-east-to-85-north flyover might be singlehandedly responsible for 50% of the problem. It is absurd that all of that traffic has to squeeze into one lane while trying to merge onto 85. And its rather steep grade doesn't help because of all the trucks.

It also doesn't help that Gwinnett's population has nearly tripled since the rebuild was completed in 1987. Spaghetti Junction was great for a few years, but it too got overwhelmed by rapid traffic growth and induced demand.

[ATLTJL]

Well, I would say that you CAN build yourself out of the problem.

Here's how:

Build an outer perimeter. Don't allow trucks on the inner one. Problem solved. Except for the outer perimeter, of course.

What I've never understood is given how tech enabled logistics has become, why can't freight companies figure out how to not be at this intersection during rush hours?

We have legislated that they can't use I-85 inside the perimeter, can we put times on it? Any trucks on I-285 between 7am and 10am or 3pm-7pm get tickets?

I don't even see how it makes sense for the companies. Aren't they losing tons of money by having trucks sit in traffic?

[fieldm]

List is BS. 405 and 5 in LA isnt on there or 495 in DC isnt on there

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

Originally Posted by fieldm

List is BS. 405 and 5 in LA isnt on there or 495 in DC isnt on there

FREIGHT Bottlenecks.... Atlanta has a lot more passing through freight than LA or DC I bet. We are a major logistics/distribution hub and are served by the up and coming Savannah Port which is expected to grow even more aggressively with the completion of the deepening of Savannah harbor.

[fieldm]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaPeanuts

FREIGHT Bottlenecks.... Atlanta has a lot more passing through freight than LA or DC I bet. We are a major logistics/distribution hub and are served by the up and coming Savannah Port which is expected to grow even more aggressively with the completion of the deepening of Savannah harbor.

I dont believe everything I read but if you want to

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

Well, I would say that you CAN build yourself out of the problem.

Here's how:

Build an outer perimeter. Don't allow trucks on the inner one. Problem solved. Except for the outer perimeter, of course.

Other cities have outer perimeters, they haven't solved their traffic problems. After a decade, those roads get filled up too.

[evannole]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Other cities have outer perimeters, they haven't solved their traffic problems. After a decade, those roads get filled up too.

Other cities also have more robust transit and still have terrible traffic and long journey times from point A to point B, regardless of mode of transportation.

We need both better roads and better transit, but only some are willing to admit that.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by evannole

Other cities also have more robust transit and still have terrible traffic and long journey times from point A to point B, regardless of mode of transportation.

We need both better roads and better transit, but only some are willing to admit that.

Reality is nothing will eliminate traffic in a growing city. You can only give people options to take alternative transportation. Expanding roads is a waste. Traffic will be bad with or without them.

That is why transit is by far a better investment. The only things we should be investing in with roads is maintenance, road diets, and adding tolls.