Community Corner

I-85 Traffic Congestion to Reach 'Unacceptable Levels' Without Mitigation Efforts Says GDOT

The computer animated video explains how toll lanes from Old Peachtree Road to Hamilton Mill Road would operate.

If you missed last month's public hearings regarding the extension of the I-85 toll lanes northward, you can now learn more about the project courtesy of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

The GDOT recently posted a short computer animated video depicting how the new toll lanes will operate (see above). 

The GDOT has proposed extending the toll lanes from Old Peachtree Road near Suwanee to Hamilton Mill Road, in the Dacula/Buford area. As part of the project, an additional lane would be constructed to avoid losing capacity in the free lanes.

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According to GDOT, the new toll lanes would provide reliable travel times, improved commute alternatives and expanded commuting choices (see pdf). In the presentation, GDOT explains studies indicate "congestion will reach unacceptable levels throughout the I-85 corridor without mitigation efforts."

"The purpose of the proposed managed lanes is to create realistic travel time savings through the use of variable priced tolling to manage volume in the lanes and maintain a minimum average speed," the GDOT website explains.

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Do you feel extending the toll lanes is an adequate "mitigation effort"? What measures would you propose? Let us know in the comments.


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