Atlanta

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/usa/2025/04/4-6-billion-atlanta-toll-road-project-one-of-the-largest-in-the-united-states

$4.5 billion project on SR 400 to add toll lanes should start later this year and be completed in 2031! Get ready for six years of construction along this corridor!

[Tomahawkin]

OMFG, 6 years! Cheesewhiz! I hope its 2 toll lanes in each direction? Most of the interchanges over 400 are needing to improvements or need to be rebuilt!

[Georgia]

Looks like clearing and grubbing have started on the west 20/285 interchange, trees are coming down

[Tom958]

The tentative opening date for the southbound I-285 to eastbound I-20 flyover is May 14th. 

[Henry]

The tentative opening date for the southbound I-285 to eastbound I-20 flyover is May 14th. 

I take it that would be the eastern interchange?

[Tom958]

I take it that would be the eastern interchange?

Yes. Work has barely started on the west side.

On an unrelated topic: Years into the construction of improvements to the I-85-North Druid Hills Road interchange, I finally realized why it's configured the way it is. To me, building a braided ramp (shown in green) to improve access to the northbound frontage road seemed like overkill, though it will improve access-- including for ambulances-- to the enormous children's hospital nearby-- and possibly divert some traffic from the Clairmont Road offramp, which backs up alarmingly onto the mainline during the PM peak hours.

After the DLT ramp (in gold) was opened in March, I realized it'd remove the need for one signal phase from the intersection at the west end of the bridge. When the green ramp opens, it'll remove the straight-through movement from the northbound offramp onto the frontage road. Together, the new ramps will free up a significant amount of green time for North Druid Hills, the off- and onramps, or both. I think it's rather clever, and I find it annoying that GDOT hasn't bothered to explain this in their public outreach.

https://i85-sr42-interchange-0016054-gdot.hub.arcgis.com/

[Tomahawkin]

GDOT needs to Gut the Clairmont Rd interchange under IH 85 and convert it to a SPUI, like the ones seen on P.I.B. and Jimmy Carter Rd in the Norcross area. The traffic on those Frontage roads at Cliarmont can back up onto the interstate in the evenings...

[architect77]

The existing N. Druid Hills overpass has always bounced a lot which I know doesn't mean it's failing structurally. It is about 35 years old, and one time I thought I saw it on a list of overpasses that would be replaced. Does anyone know if that's true or is it totally not necessary?

I hounded GDOT in the early 2010s to replace the little overhead green signs on the access roads because so many had faded to blank. They finally did and a woman emailed me from that division's offices. I feel that I made a difference. Brookhaven, after it became an official town, replaced a few of them on the West side access road identifiable with a curve in the arrow diagram on the signs.

[Tomahawkin]

Does anyone know the logic behind re-striping the lanes on IH 285 in DeKalb country? IMO its a waste of money which should be allocated to installing overhead lighting on that FUBAR Interstate...

[ChiMilNet]

The entire route needs some proper lighting. I recently moved to the Atlanta area, and I am trying to understand the aversion to lighting certain highways around here, I-285 being maybe the most notable, followed by GA 400, Peachtree Ind Blvd (at least the freeway portion), I-675, and some of the big interchanges (spaghetti junction of I-85 and I-285 standing out in particular). If anyone is able to explain this, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[74/171FAN]

[Plutonic Panda]

lol I knew the first comment was going to be some anti car nut bitching about how that money should have went to MARTA.

[Finrod]

lol I knew the first comment was going to be some anti car nut bitching about how that money should have went to MARTA.

Yep.  No one wants to walk to a MARTA station in 90F heat.  Cars have A/C.

[architect77]

The entire route needs some proper lighting. I recently moved to the Atlanta area, and I am trying to understand the aversion to lighting certain highways around here, I-285 being maybe the most notable, followed by GA 400, Peachtree Ind Blvd (at least the freeway portion), I-675, and some of the big interchanges (spaghetti junction of I-85 and I-285 standing out in particular). If anyone is able to explain this, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I think the official criteria for highway lighting has been within an urban location where there's an increased number of potential dangers in the event of a vehicle breakdown and perhaps changing a tire on the shoulder. Rural sections of freeways/interstates, of course, don't have continuous lighting, but in the Southeast there will often be tall mast lights at interchanges.

In many metros, including Atlanta, the lighting is paid for by whatever municipality the highway is within or traversing. Some cities manage them better than others.

Today, the lights are subject to having their wires stripped out for the copper. That has taken many lights in many cities offline and sometimes years pass before they're repaired.

Fortunately many of Atlanta's interstates do have lighting for their entire lengths in the metro area. I-20 East is lighted. I-85 has only one section near Clairmont without lights and maybe a few other smaller sections, the its mostly lighted. I-75 is the same, except for about 200 lights in Marietta aren't working due to wire theft a few years ago. The city hasn't reached a deal with GDOT about paying for the repairs yet. That was in 2018.

GA400 is considered more of a residential neighborhood corridor but the Express Lane reconstruction might have them. The Express Lanes themselves will be lit like the ones on I-75 at minimum. It's a nice relief to have no billboards on GA400 until way up North.

I wish they'd perfect the technology to have the lane striping be glow in the dark. That would help a lot at night.

[ChiMilNet]

The entire route needs some proper lighting. I recently moved to the Atlanta area, and I am trying to understand the aversion to lighting certain highways around here, I-285 being maybe the most notable, followed by GA 400, Peachtree Ind Blvd (at least the freeway portion), I-675, and some of the big interchanges (spaghetti junction of I-85 and I-285 standing out in particular). If anyone is able to explain this, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I think the official criteria for highway lighting has been within an urban location where there's an increased number of potential dangers in the event of a vehicle breakdown and perhaps changing a tire on the shoulder. Rural sections of freeways/interstates, of course, don't have continuous lighting, but in the Southeast there will often be tall mast lights at interchanges.

In many metros, including Atlanta, the lighting is paid for by whatever municipality the highway is within or traversing. Some cities manage them better than others.

Today, the lights are subject to having their wires stripped out for the copper. That has taken many lights in many cities offline and sometimes years pass before they're repaired.

Fortunately many of Atlanta's interstates do have lighting for their entire lengths in the metro area. I-20 East is lighted. I-85 has only one section near Clairmont without lights and maybe a few other smaller sections, the its mostly lighted. I-75 is the same, except for about 200 lights in Marietta aren't working due to wire theft a few years ago. The city hasn't reached a deal with GDOT about paying for the repairs yet. That was in 2018.

GA400 is considered more of a residential neighborhood corridor but the Express Lane reconstruction might have them. The Express Lanes themselves will be lit like the ones on I-75 at minimum. It's a nice relief to have no billboards on GA400 until way up North.

I wish they'd perfect the technology to have the lane striping be glow in the dark. That would help a lot at night.

That's really sad to hear that happens. I'm surprised there hasn't been more investment in survelliance technology. I have noticed that within Atlanta proper and on some of the main interstates there is more lighting. But with the understanding that the municipalities pay for the lighting, that might explain the situation on I-285 and GA 400 at least. I agree with you on the billboards on GA 400 (it goes through some nice areas, so I am sure that Alpharetta and Sandy Springs have leverage to keep them off the highway there).

That said, as a safety measure, in a populated area, I guess I am little surprised lighting isn't a bit of a higher priority. Again, in Illinois (Chicago Area specifically) where I come from, you'll have endless lighting everywhere. I-90 between Chicago and Rockford is lit up the entire way... 60+ miles!

[Henry]

I think the official criteria for highway lighting has been within an urban location where there's an increased number of potential dangers in the event of a vehicle breakdown and perhaps changing a tire on the shoulder. Rural sections of freeways/interstates, of course, don't have continuous lighting, but in the Southeast there will often be tall mast lights at interchanges.

Plus, more often than not, you'll see lower-mounted lights in the center median for lighting both directions, which IMO are better than lighting them to the side because of the exact spacing that may not exist with the latter method, and also, the chances of the wires getting stolen are not as great either. In addition to the Deep South/Southeast, these traits are prevalent in the Midwest and Northeast as well. West of OK/TX, not as much, if at all.

[architect77]

The entire route needs some proper lighting. I recently moved to the Atlanta area, and I am trying to understand the aversion to lighting certain highways around here, I-285 being maybe the most notable, followed by GA 400, Peachtree Ind Blvd (at least the freeway portion), I-675, and some of the big interchanges (spaghetti junction of I-85 and I-285 standing out in particular). If anyone is able to explain this, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I think the official criteria for highway lighting has been within an urban location where there's an increased number of potential dangers in the event of a vehicle breakdown and perhaps changing a tire on the shoulder. Rural sections of freeways/interstates, of course, don't have continuous lighting, but in the Southeast there will often be tall mast lights at interchanges.

In many metros, including Atlanta, the lighting is paid for by whatever municipality the highway is within or traversing. Some cities manage them better than others.

Today, the lights are subject to having their wires stripped out for the copper. That has taken many lights in many cities offline and sometimes years pass before they're repaired.

Fortunately many of Atlanta's interstates do have lighting for their entire lengths in the metro area. I-20 East is lighted. I-85 has only one section near Clairmont without lights and maybe a few other smaller sections, the its mostly lighted. I-75 is the same, except for about 200 lights in Marietta aren't working due to wire theft a few years ago. The city hasn't reached a deal with GDOT about paying for the repairs yet. That was in 2018.

GA400 is considered more of a residential neighborhood corridor but the Express Lane reconstruction might have them. The Express Lanes themselves will be lit like the ones on I-75 at minimum. It's a nice relief to have no billboards on GA400 until way up North.

I wish they'd perfect the technology to have the lane striping be glow in the dark. That would help a lot at night.

That's really sad to hear that happens. I'm surprised there hasn't been more investment in survelliance technology. I have noticed that within Atlanta proper and on some of the main interstates there is more lighting. But with the understanding that the municipalities pay for the lighting, that might explain the situation on I-285 and GA 400 at least. I agree with you on the billboards on GA 400 (it goes through some nice areas, so I am sure that Alpharetta and Sandy Springs have leverage to keep them off the highway there).

That said, as a safety measure, in a populated area, I guess I am little surprised lighting isn't a bit of a higher priority. Again, in Illinois (Chicago Area specifically) where I come from, you'll have endless lighting everywhere. I-90 between Chicago and Rockford is lit up the entire way... 60+ miles!

That's nice about Chicago lighting. Now I want to know how diligent they are keeping them functioning. Every city I drive through often has many that aren't working. I have email DOTs in several states requesting repairs. Illinois is known for some budget problems so I'm curious if the lights are all working. Florida does an excellent job keeping them on.

[ChiMilNet]

The entire route needs some proper lighting. I recently moved to the Atlanta area, and I am trying to understand the aversion to lighting certain highways around here, I-285 being maybe the most notable, followed by GA 400, Peachtree Ind Blvd (at least the freeway portion), I-675, and some of the big interchanges (spaghetti junction of I-85 and I-285 standing out in particular). If anyone is able to explain this, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I think the official criteria for highway lighting has been within an urban location where there's an increased number of potential dangers in the event of a vehicle breakdown and perhaps changing a tire on the shoulder. Rural sections of freeways/interstates, of course, don't have continuous lighting, but in the Southeast there will often be tall mast lights at interchanges.

In many metros, including Atlanta, the lighting is paid for by whatever municipality the highway is within or traversing. Some cities manage them better than others.

Today, the lights are subject to having their wires stripped out for the copper. That has taken many lights in many cities offline and sometimes years pass before they're repaired.

Fortunately many of Atlanta's interstates do have lighting for their entire lengths in the metro area. I-20 East is lighted. I-85 has only one section near Clairmont without lights and maybe a few other smaller sections, the its mostly lighted. I-75 is the same, except for about 200 lights in Marietta aren't working due to wire theft a few years ago. The city hasn't reached a deal with GDOT about paying for the repairs yet. That was in 2018.

GA400 is considered more of a residential neighborhood corridor but the Express Lane reconstruction might have them. The Express Lanes themselves will be lit like the ones on I-75 at minimum. It's a nice relief to have no billboards on GA400 until way up North.

I wish they'd perfect the technology to have the lane striping be glow in the dark. That would help a lot at night.

That's really sad to hear that happens. I'm surprised there hasn't been more investment in survelliance technology. I have noticed that within Atlanta proper and on some of the main interstates there is more lighting. But with the understanding that the municipalities pay for the lighting, that might explain the situation on I-285 and GA 400 at least. I agree with you on the billboards on GA 400 (it goes through some nice areas, so I am sure that Alpharetta and Sandy Springs have leverage to keep them off the highway there).

That said, as a safety measure, in a populated area, I guess I am little surprised lighting isn't a bit of a higher priority. Again, in Illinois (Chicago Area specifically) where I come from, you'll have endless lighting everywhere. I-90 between Chicago and Rockford is lit up the entire way... 60+ miles!

That's nice about Chicago lighting. Now I want to know how diligent they are keeping them functioning. Every city I drive through often has many that aren't working. I have email DOTs in several states requesting repairs. Illinois is known for some budget problems so I'm curious if the lights are all working. Florida does an excellent job keeping them on.

I lived in FL for a time before moving to Atlanta, so I can speak for both FL and IL. IL actually does a pretty decent job mostly of keeping them on. Definitely between IDOT and the tollways, the tollways do a better job both with lighting and maintaining, as they have better funding for obvious reasons. However, IDOT also does a pretty decent job of lighting, and probably the biggest drawback is the slower pace they have been to update the luminares to LED... it's happening slowly but surely throughout IDOT D1 (Chicago region). That said, usually you can rely on the Interstates in IL to have lighting at just about all interchanges, usually with it working pretty well.

As for FL, they do a good job with their lighting too... actually, it always struck me how similar the lightpoles and luminares look compared to Illinois (especially the tollways, see examples of each state below), and it's something I sort of lament that GA doesn't share the same familiar look consistently (aluminum truss style). I lived in the Jacksonville area, and the Interstates there were always lit up quite well, though, maybe just due to construction, I would find random stretches that were not turned on at times. Maybe it's just isolated to Jacksonville. However, overall I think both states do highway lighting very well.

IL Tollway Lighting Example
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7QGkvM7r4Ksusqq46

FL Highway Lighting Example
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wGqDnTfQCASrhZ877

[Plutonic Panda]

I wish Southern California would light its highways up.

[Henry]

I wish Southern California would light its highways up.

I feel the same way; in fact, that was my one major dislike when I lived there for 12 years. The heavy traffic I learned to deal with, but the lack of lights between interchanges just pissed me off.

At least other states can adapt to CA's style of lighting (bent single arm) and do it a million times better, like MD. It helps that the middle of that state is in a major urban core in fact, it's the southern end of the BosWash megalopolis), so it can afford to light more of its highways than CA would even care to. While I've grown to like the CA style (which is also prevalent in the Pacific Northwest, plus AZ, ID, NV, UT and WY), I do wish there were more of those to fill in the gaps.

CA Lighting Style
MD Lighting Style

That's nice about Chicago lighting. Now I want to know how diligent they are keeping them functioning. Every city I drive through often has many that aren't working. I have email DOTs in several states requesting repairs. Illinois is known for some budget problems so I'm curious if the lights are all working. Florida does an excellent job keeping them on.

I lived in FL for a time before moving to Atlanta, so I can speak for both FL and IL. IL actually does a pretty decent job mostly of keeping them on. Definitely between IDOT and the tollways, the tollways do a better job both with lighting and maintaining, as they have better funding for obvious reasons. However, IDOT also does a pretty decent job of lighting, and probably the biggest drawback is the slower pace they have been to update the luminares to LED... it's happening slowly but surely throughout IDOT D1 (Chicago region). That said, usually you can rely on the Interstates in IL to have lighting at just about all interchanges, usually with it working pretty well.

As for FL, they do a good job with their lighting too... actually, it always struck me how similar the lightpoles and luminares look compared to Illinois (especially the tollways, see examples of each state below), and it's something I sort of lament that GA doesn't share the same familiar look consistently (aluminum truss style). I lived in the Jacksonville area, and the Interstates there were always lit up quite well, though, maybe just due to construction, I would find random stretches that were not turned on at times. Maybe it's just isolated to Jacksonville. However, overall I think both states do highway lighting very well.

IL Tollway Lighting Example
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7QGkvM7r4Ksusqq46

FL Highway Lighting Example
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wGqDnTfQCASrhZ877

Those Chicago-style lights have always been my favorite, and I'd have to disagree with you on GDOT not having that style anywhere, since the Atlanta freeways also have it, as well as a few other places.

Atlanta, GA
Baltimore, MD
Charlotte, NC