Atlanta

[Georgia Guardrail]

I hate it when they try to cut corners and just restripe a road to "widen" it.  It's cheap and dangerous.

Conversely, repaving and restriping makes much more sense as part of road diet projects, which I think are especially effective for improving those crumbling, poorly designed four-lane access roads in central Atlanta with faded medians.  It makes them easier to navigate and friendlier for pedestrians. 

[architect77]

Responding to the previous post, my response be that there is always an ongoing tradeoff between safety and capacity, especially where freeways are concerned, notwithstanding the cost considerations.   I don't like 11' lanes on freeways either, especially on I-285, but sometimes it is the only way to squeeze lanes into some of these corridors, and if you take the width from the shoulders, that causes its own safety issues.

I attended the open house for the East side I-285 Express Lane project in 2021 or 2022. They may have revised the plans but I remember seeing Express Lanes proposed to on the grouwnd, barrier separated with all of the general purpose lanes rebuilt to a slightly different alignment. That's where I remember seeing a couple of 11' wide lanes.

If they are totally rebuilding the I-285 roadway, I would imagine that no left merges will remain like at US78. I know that existing right of way has its limits, and I know that they don't want to acquire much new right-of-way. With all of that I can see an 11' lane might be unavoidable in certain spots, but I just feel that building a roadway to serve the next 50-75 years should be as ideal as it can be. I realize that the overpasses along I-85 barely accommodated a 5th lane being added in the 90s.

I think we all ride on freeway 11' lanes more than we realize, but I can't emphasize enough how I-85 through Gwinnett with its original 5 wide lanes was so pleasant until they painted the center HOV, then HOT, then Express Lane into existence. Today the middle lanes are not enjoyable or comfortable when traveling at high speeds.

[ChiMilNet]

Responding to the previous post, my response be that there is always an ongoing tradeoff between safety and capacity, especially where freeways are concerned, notwithstanding the cost considerations.   I don't like 11' lanes on freeways either, especially on I-285, but sometimes it is the only way to squeeze lanes into some of these corridors, and if you take the width from the shoulders, that causes its own safety issues.

I think we all ride on freeway 11' lanes more than we realize, but I can't emphasize enough how I-85 through Gwinnett with its original 5 wide lanes was so pleasant until they painted the center HOV, then HOT, then Express Lane into existence. Today the middle lanes are not enjoyable or comfortable when traveling at high speeds.

Not to mention that too many people ride in that I-85 express lane going 5-10 below the speed limit as a result, which is just very annoying. I have had to exit the lane and then quickly re-enter (where legally allowed, of course) to go around a few such drivers. Having a wider lane would likely help with this, but I don't see them making any changes in the foreseeable future, especially with much higher priorities.

[Tomahawkin]

IMO, this won't happen for anything in the next 20 years but those express lanes on 85 in Gwinnett should have been elevated with 2 in each direction when they were built, but as Usual GDOT half Assed it much like they do with 80 percent of their traffic calming solutions! And I bleeping hate the crammed shoulders!

[architect77]

IMO, this won't happen for anything in the next 20 years but those express lanes on 85 in Gwinnett should have been elevated with 2 in each direction when they were built, but as Usual GDOT half Assed it much like they do with 80 percent of their traffic calming solutions! And I bleeping hate the crammed shoulders!

It was merely a conversion of an underutilized HOV lane that was tolled and was a first test of Express Lanes in the metro. I predict that I-85 will get more Express lanes that will be separate and likely elevated because that corridor is one of the most heavily traveled and growth continues to Commerce and Gwinnett is still growing.

I don't like how the tolling starts over beyond the 316 interchange. I predict more Express Lanes that way in the future.

[Georgia]

yea, those 85 lanes were a proof of concept, which should have been obvious but hey, it is GDOT.

[ElishaGOtis]

yea, those 85 lanes were a proof of concept, which should have been obvious but hey, it is GDOT.

Could. Not. Agree. More...

From TN Choice Lanes Thread:

Temporary fixes can be useful, especially if something larger is on the books. However, as is mentioned in its name, they MUST be temporary. Simple conversions from HOV to HOT/ETL probably work best to give the DOT experience operating lanes on one or two corridors when they're first constructed, like I-85 (GA's first HOT/ETL system). However, once that time has passed, they must be improved. IMHO I-85's lanes should have been converted to at least 2-2 elevated / barrier separated instead of having the corridor extended... this likely would have been a lot more efficient on a traffic standpoint.

Also, to your point, maybe the high tolls now fund future projects that could result in lower tolls? Still, it looks like the time has passed for their effectiveness as a simple conversion on I-85. 

heheheha 

[Georgia Guardrail]

What's interesting with the proposed east toll lanes is that I thought they were initially supposed to go under 278, Redan Rd, and Redwing Cir which each had their respective overpasses over I 285 replaced for that reason.  But now I guess the express lanes will go over those streets anyway?  And they are going to have to rebuild the Redan Road bridge for a new Express lanes interchange there as well.

Don't get me wrong I like the new bridge aesthetics but I kind of find it ironic too if that is the case.

[Tomahawkin]

They need to gut the 78 interchange!some of those Bridges in that mile vicinity are dating back to the 60s! A FFS Get rid of those bleeping left handed merges! GDOT IS SO BLEEPING STUPID!!! A Lot of truck traffic comes from, US 78 in Stone Mountain! and Thank you/F You GDOT for letting 285 flood Monday Morning during that monsoon!!! It shut 285 in both directions at 645AM During that Monsoon!

[architect77]

yea, those 85 lanes were a proof of concept, which should have been obvious but hey, it is GDOT.

I predict that after 285 and 400 projects are finished they will add some elevated shoulder Express Lanes in Gwinnett.

Regarding the tolls being reduced in price, isn't is obvious when they rise to $20 in the afternoon that the price is merely the result of too many wanting to enter the lanes which would slow them to not be able to keep flowing 45 mph?

The price will likely reach record highs in the future as growth continues outward on I-85. People willing to pay anything for a faster ride home.

[Tom958]

yea, those 85 lanes were a proof of concept, which should have been obvious but hey, it is GDOT.

I predict that after 285 and 400 projects are finished they will add some elevated shoulder Express Lanes in Gwinnett.

As I've pointed out at every opportunity, the study limits for the top end 285 corridor should extend to 85 at Jimmy Carter or so.

Regarding the tolls being reduced in price, isn't is obvious when they rise to $20 in the afternoon that the price is merely the result of too many wanting to enter the lanes which would slow them to not be able to keep flowing 45 mph?

The idea that collecting tolls could serve any purpose other than raising money is completely beyond most people's ability to comprehend. What's worse, most believe that "the money" will be siphoned off by corrupt entities, depriving the motoring public of toll-free, congestion-free facilities that, but for said corruption, could be built with the wave of a magic wand.

[ElishaGOtis]

yea, those 85 lanes were a proof of concept, which should have been obvious but hey, it is GDOT.

I predict that after 285 and 400 projects are finished they will add some elevated shoulder Express Lanes in Gwinnett.

As I've pointed out at every opportunity, the study limits for the top end 285 corridor should extend to 85 at Jimmy Carter or so.

Regarding the tolls being reduced in price, isn't is obvious when they rise to $20 in the afternoon that the price is merely the result of too many wanting to enter the lanes which would slow them to not be able to keep flowing 45 mph?

The idea that collecting tolls could serve any purpose other than raising money is completely beyond most people's ability to comprehend. What's worse, most believe that "the money" will be siphoned off by corrupt entities, depriving the motoring public of toll-free, congestion-free facilities that, but for said corruption, could be built with the wave of a magic wand.

BRT never seems to be advertised as much as well... Atlanta will literally be getting a brand-new quarter-orbital BRT line connecting 2 Marta lines near their termini, similar to the DART Silver Line. At least the El Monte Busway is literally named "busway" lol 

[architect77]

yea, those 85 lanes were a proof of concept, which should have been obvious but hey, it is GDOT.

I predict that after 285 and 400 projects are finished they will add some elevated shoulder Express Lanes in Gwinnett.

As I've pointed out at every opportunity, the study limits for the top end 285 corridor should extend to 85 at Jimmy Carter or so.

Regarding the tolls being reduced in price, isn't is obvious when they rise to $20 in the afternoon that the price is merely the result of too many wanting to enter the lanes which would slow them to not be able to keep flowing 45 mph?

The idea that collecting tolls could serve any purpose other than raising money is completely beyond most people's ability to comprehend. What's worse, most believe that "the money" will be siphoned off by corrupt entities, depriving the motoring public of toll-free, congestion-free facilities that, but for said corruption, could be built with the wave of a magic wand.

I agree and people still complain about the GA400 50 cent toll as corrupt govt. greed when that was such a bargain and they also accuse the state of leaving tolls long after the construction debt was paid off, when the truth is that the tolls remained for one additional year to pay for the Capt. Herb Emery flyover to I-85 North which wasn't built in the beginning. I remember local news showing how few cars were using the new flyover a month after it opened like it was a waste of money. People love to complain about anything and everything without learning any details first.