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Regional Boards => Southeast => Topic started by: chrislopezz on January 16, 2024, 09:03:04 PM

Title: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: chrislopezz on January 16, 2024, 09:03:04 PM
This is where we can all chat about I-985, i.e. Improvement, signs, etc.
(https://i.ibb.co/rxXSzkF/D0-E864-C7-F101-4-A8-B-9565-547398-E61-D39.jpg)
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: wanderer2575 on January 16, 2024, 09:48:37 PM
Why don't you offer something, instead of just loading the forum with empty threads?
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: ilpt4u on January 16, 2024, 10:03:54 PM
I liked its scenic selection for the "Guess the 3di Challenge" game, and I got the answer
Quote from: webny99 on January 19, 2022, 04:38:25 PM
Alright, here's the next one. This is an interesting one, it might be easy if someone recognizes it, but possibly a tough one if not:

(https://imgur.com/BIQ4l75.jpg)

Alternate link: https://i.postimg.cc/Y0Qbtv8L/Picture1.png
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=30341.msg2699360#msg2699360
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on January 16, 2024, 11:43:44 PM
 :sleep:
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: The Ghostbuster on January 17, 2024, 11:51:12 AM
Interstate 985 was designated in 1985 along the US 23/GA 365 freeway, which also contains the unsigned GA 419 designation. The 985 freeway connects Suwanee with Gainsville and is named the Sidney Lanier Parkway, after the musician and poet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Lanier. Interstate 985 did not have exit numbers prior to the 2000 conversion of Georgia's Interstates from sequential-to-mileage-based exit numbers. Interstate 985 is also the second-highest-numbered spur route after Interstate 990 in Buffalo, New York.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: freebrickproductions on January 17, 2024, 02:35:36 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 17, 2024, 11:51:12 AM
Interstate 985 is also the second-highest-numbered spur route after Interstate 990 in Buffalo, New York.

Clearly there needs to be an I-999, the current highest-possible numbered Interstate spur.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: jlam on January 17, 2024, 03:56:16 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 17, 2024, 02:35:36 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 17, 2024, 11:51:12 AM
Interstate 985 is also the second-highest-numbered spur route after Interstate 990 in Buffalo, New York.

Clearly there needs to be an I-999, the current highest-possible numbered Interstate spur.

There might be an I-1080 in the Bay Area in the future.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: fhmiii on January 17, 2024, 04:19:39 PM
Back when I lived in Gwinnett County I spent a lot of time on I-985, especially after my sister moved to Forsyth County just across the lake from Gainesville.  It was the best route, along with US-23, to Helen, Tallulah Falls, Bryson City, NC, and it was frequently the route I took to Asheville, NC.  I watched the 2017 eclipse in Clarkesville and have some great photos.  If you're ever traveling that route, make sure you stop at Goats on the Roof in Tiger.

I still find it ridiculous that there is no interchange at either Hamilton Mill Road nor Thompson Mill Road, and it appears there never will be based on the encroaching development.  Not every road across the Interstate needs an interchange, but more interchanges are needed in that area.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: Rothman on January 17, 2024, 04:21:19 PM
Quote from: jlam on January 17, 2024, 03:56:16 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 17, 2024, 02:35:36 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 17, 2024, 11:51:12 AM
Interstate 985 is also the second-highest-numbered spur route after Interstate 990 in Buffalo, New York.

Clearly there needs to be an I-999, the current highest-possible numbered Interstate spur.

There might be an I-1080 in the Bay Area in the future.
No.  No, there won't.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: vdeane on January 17, 2024, 08:59:39 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 17, 2024, 02:35:36 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 17, 2024, 11:51:12 AM
Interstate 985 is also the second-highest-numbered spur route after Interstate 990 in Buffalo, New York.

Clearly there needs to be an I-999, the current highest-possible numbered Interstate spur.
That would be a good number for I-590 if I-390 were to become part of I-99.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: rickmastfan67 on January 17, 2024, 09:24:31 PM
Quote from: wanderer2575 on January 16, 2024, 09:48:37 PM
Why don't you offer something, instead of just loading the forum with empty threads?

^ This.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: chrislopezz on January 17, 2024, 09:31:33 PM
Anyway, why did they construct Exit 14 (HF Reed Ind Pkwy)??

I know it said "GDOT says the new interchange "will reduce travel times, increase safety for the traveling public, and enhance economic development" in and around Hall County," (NowHabersham)

Maybe they should have just used other exits like 12/16-17
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: jlam on January 17, 2024, 09:45:43 PM
Quote from: chrislopezz on January 17, 2024, 09:31:33 PM
Anyway, why did they construct Exit 14 (HF Reed Ind Pkwy)??

I know it said "GDOT says the new interchange "will reduce travel times, increase safety for the traveling public, and enhance economic development" in and around Hall County," (NowHabersham)

Maybe they should have just used other exits like 12/16-17

As predicted by the road's name, the H. F. Reed Industrial Park Connector serves a nearby industrial park. GDOT doesn't want all this truck traffic running past residential areas near exits 12 and 16. Thurmon Tanner Pkwy already sees enough traffic as is (or so I assume).
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: The Ghostbuster on January 17, 2024, 11:03:07 PM
I've wondered, why was the US 23/GA 365 freeway corridor given the Interstate 985 designation when the 385, 585, and 785 designations could have been used instead?
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: chrislopezz on January 18, 2024, 09:40:33 AM
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/I-985_signage_error_GA369_East.jpg)

An erroneous SR 23 shield was previously posted along SR 369 (Jesse Jewell Parkway) east ahead of the diamond interchange with Interstate 985. 10/15/2001

Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: lordsutch on January 18, 2024, 04:38:27 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 17, 2024, 11:03:07 PM
I've wondered, why was the US 23/GA 365 freeway corridor given the Interstate 985 designation when the 385, 585, and 785 designations could have been used instead?

I assume they didn't want to duplicate numbers used in adjacent states for 385 and 585; for example, someone might think I-385 in Georgia would connect to I-385 in South Carolina given that both states are next to each other. Not sure why they avoided using I-785, except perhaps the relative proximity to U.S. 78.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: formulanone on January 18, 2024, 06:04:54 PM
Quote from: lordsutch on January 18, 2024, 04:38:27 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 17, 2024, 11:03:07 PM
I've wondered, why was the US 23/GA 365 freeway corridor given the Interstate 985 designation when the 385, 585, and 785 designations could have been used instead?

I assume they didn't want to duplicate numbers used in adjacent states for 385 and 585; for example, someone might think I-385 in Georgia would connect to I-385 in South Carolina given that both states are next to each other. Not sure why they avoided using I-785, except perhaps the relative proximity to U.S. 78.

I think having I-985 open to traffic close to 1985 is the most likely answer.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: Strider on January 18, 2024, 07:11:59 PM
Quote from: lordsutch on January 18, 2024, 04:38:27 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 17, 2024, 11:03:07 PM
I've wondered, why was the US 23/GA 365 freeway corridor given the Interstate 985 designation when the 385, 585, and 785 designations could have been used instead?

I assume they didn't want to duplicate numbers used in adjacent states for 385 and 585; for example, someone might think I-385 in Georgia would connect to I-385 in South Carolina given that both states are next to each other. Not sure why they avoided using I-785, except perhaps the relative proximity to U.S. 78.


I think this is the logical reason. I-385 and I-585 is kinda close to I-985 and GDOT don't want to confuse the drivers. However, they did make a history: I-985 is the highest numbered N-S interstate and was the first highest numbered interstate before I-990 opened near Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: Mapmikey on January 18, 2024, 10:45:48 PM
Georgia applied for 2 other x85 segments the same time as I-985.  However, only the FHWA answer letter was in the file, affirming 985 and rejecting the other 2 (current GA 400 and GA 316).  The request from Georgia where they may have identified these x85 designations was absent.  They may have asked for 3 of the odd-digit 3dis and only 985 was approved.  If I were to guess, they would have avoided 585 because 575 was nearby.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: freebrickproductions on January 18, 2024, 11:11:44 PM
Quote from: Mapmikey on January 18, 2024, 10:45:48 PM
Georgia applied for 2 other x85 segments the same time as I-985.  However, only the FHWA answer letter was in the file, affirming 985 and rejecting the other 2 (current GA 400 and GA 316).  The request from Georgia where they may have identified these x85 designations was absent.  They may have asked for 3 of the odd-digit 3dis and only 985 was approved.  If I were to guess, they would have avoided 585 because 575 was nearby.

I wouldn't be too surprised if GA 316 could've gotten I-785, while GA 400 would've been I-385.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: rickmastfan67 on January 19, 2024, 01:35:41 AM
Quote from: chrislopezz on January 18, 2024, 09:40:33 AM
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/I-985_signage_error_GA369_East.jpg)

An erroneous SR 23 shield was previously posted along SR 369 (Jesse Jewell Parkway) east ahead of the diamond interchange with Interstate 985. 10/15/2001

Please remember to 'source' where you get the image from in your post if it isn't your own photo.  Especially when you're not adding any extra content (since all you did was copy the text from Wikipedia).
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: jlam on January 19, 2024, 02:07:53 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on January 19, 2024, 01:35:41 AM
Please remember to 'source' where you get the image from in your post if it isn't your own photo.  Especially when you're not adding any extra content (since all you did was copy the text from Wikipedia).
I'm pretty sure he was the person that uploaded it to Wikipedia. I don't think he took the picture, however (if his age is to believed, he wasn't alive back then). This is more of an issue of the upload to the Commons.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: The Ghostbuster on January 19, 2024, 02:44:26 PM
Are GA 316 and GA 400 up to Interstate Standards? If not, I doubt they would have become Interstates, although the Interstate 485 designation was to have gone along an unbuilt portion of GA 400 south of Interstate 85, after previously being proposed to follow a western extension of the Stone Mountain Freeway between its current western terminus and Interstate 75/85 at Exit 248C.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: Tomahawkin on January 19, 2024, 07:29:46 PM
Im surprised 985 hasnt been widen to 6 lanes total all the way up to its terminus? Considering the Mall of GA and lake traffic. Im also amazed at the number of people whio live up there and commute to areas ITP. Thats gotta be a minimum of 3+ hours a day spent in traffic on both 85 and 985. those tolls on 85 can exceed 20 bucks 1 way as well
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: chrislopezz on January 19, 2024, 09:41:23 PM
Quote from: Tomahawkin on January 19, 2024, 07:29:46 PM
Im surprised 985 hasnt been widen to 6 lanes total all the way up to its terminus? Considering the Mall of GA and lake traffic. Im also amazed at the number of people whio live up there and commute to areas ITP. Thats gotta be a minimum of 3+ hours a day spent in traffic on both 85 and 985. those tolls on 85 can exceed 20 bucks 1 way as well
There's also accidents per week, so I think that would be a possible idea. But it's an auxiliary highway. Even 285 has 3 lanes.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: Strider on January 19, 2024, 10:46:10 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 19, 2024, 02:44:26 PM
Are GA 316 and GA 400 up to Interstate Standards? If not, I doubt they would have become Interstates, although the Interstate 485 designation was to have gone along an unbuilt portion of GA 400 south of Interstate 85, after previously being proposed to follow a western extension of the Stone Mountain Freeway between its current western terminus and Interstate 75/85 at Exit 248C.


I am pretty sure GA 400 is up to Interstate standards. I don't know about GA 316 though.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: US 89 on January 20, 2024, 06:08:16 PM
Quote from: Strider on January 19, 2024, 10:46:10 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 19, 2024, 02:44:26 PM
Are GA 316 and GA 400 up to Interstate Standards? If not, I doubt they would have become Interstates, although the Interstate 485 designation was to have gone along an unbuilt portion of GA 400 south of Interstate 85, after previously being proposed to follow a western extension of the Stone Mountain Freeway between its current western terminus and Interstate 75/85 at Exit 248C.


I am pretty sure GA 400 is up to Interstate standards. I don't know about GA 316 though.

400 definitely feels to standard north of 285. Based on my own experience, the inner part of it might have some issues with curve geometry or ramp lengths or something of that sort - but maybe that was just the old pavement making it feel older than it is. The speed limit is 55 mph rather than the 60 or 65 posted on most of the Atlanta interstates that aren't in the urban center (though it is just as universally ignored).

It's been a while since I've been on 316, but there are a *lot* of at-grade intersections in and east of Lawrenceville. Last time I drove 316 there was a lot of construction ongoing on the west half of the highway where they were converting a few intersections to grade separated interchanges.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: Tom958 on January 21, 2024, 11:14:41 AM
Quote from: Tomahawkin on January 19, 2024, 07:29:46 PM
Im surprised 985 hasnt been widen to 6 lanes total all the way up to its terminus? Considering the Mall of GA and lake traffic. Im also amazed at the number of people whio live up there and commute to areas ITP. Thats gotta be a minimum of 3+ hours a day spent in traffic on both 85 and 985. those tolls on 85 can exceed 20 bucks 1 way as well

Probably because it'd serve mainly to feed the existing bottleneck at I-85 more efficiently, thereby accomplishing next to nothing.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: US 89 on January 21, 2024, 12:33:35 PM
985 also likely doesn't have anywhere near the traffic volume to 6-lane - at least based on my multiple experiences with it.

There are tons of interstates in Georgia that are in far greater need of a 6-lane upgrade. I-85 from the Alabama state line to Coweta County comes to mind, as does I-20 from Villa Rica to the Alabama line.
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: Tomahawkin on January 21, 2024, 01:13:50 PM
No argument here, in fact IMO all of the major interstates in GA should be a minimum of 6 lanes total throughout the state. Some should be 8 lanes (total) minimum
Title: Re: Interstate 985 in Georgia
Post by: Alex on February 11, 2024, 08:17:28 AM
Quote from: jlam on January 19, 2024, 02:07:53 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on January 19, 2024, 01:35:41 AM
Please remember to 'source' where you get the image from in your post if it isn't your own photo.  Especially when you're not adding any extra content (since all you did was copy the text from Wikipedia).
I'm pretty sure he was the person that uploaded it to Wikipedia. I don't think he took the picture, however (if his age is to believed, he wasn't alive back then). This is more of an issue of the upload to the Commons.

That's a photo Andy and I took on a week long trip from Alabama to Pennsylvania in October 2001. Had no idea it was harvested by Wikipedia.