Georgia

[Buck87]

Here's a link from GDOT that gives an update of the S.R. 17 corridor as of December 2015.
http://www.dot.ga.gov/BuildSmart/programs/documents/GRIP/Facts/US1SR17FactSheet.pdf

Thanks, I didn't realize it was part of a larger corridor project across most of the state.

Though it makes sense now looking back, as I have driven part of that corridor and do remember some bypasses. One I found particularly interesting was the one around Royston, which at both ends has intersections where a 4 lane dead ends onto a 2 lane with just stop/yield signs.

[lordsutch]

BTW, GDOT has launched a study of the Downtown Connector in Atlanta. Hopefully some practical ideas can come out of this study...
http://www.dot.ga.gov/BS/Studies/DowntownConnector

Some sort of express-local setup is probably the best that can be hoped for. At the very least it would reduce the breakdown in through traffic flow from all the exiting and entering traffic.

Reviving GA 400 south of I-85 to I-285 would probably help too, but I'm not sure if there'd be enough through traffic to make it a viable toll road, which is the only way it'd be constructed I think.

[afguy]

I think an express-local lane setup would work, but it would have to use existing right-of-way. Considering all of the development that is happening in Midtown and Downtown, the city would not want to see valuable land eaten up by a freeway. However, I know the Midtown Alliance wants to see a new exit built at 15th Street. As regards to extending 400 south, that's a no-go. The eastside neighborhoods fought those plans 40 years ago and won and in those 40 years, Atlanta's eastside neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park have become some of the mot sought after real estate in the region.

[lordsutch]

I think an express-local lane setup would work, but it would have to use existing right-of-way. Considering all of the development that is happening in Midtown and Downtown, the city would not want to see valuable land eaten up by a freeway. However, I know the Midtown Alliance wants to see a new exit built at 15th Street.

... which would just make the congestion worse, since a lot of it is due to traffic jockeying for position to exit or enter the connector between I-20 and the split.

To stay in the existing footprint, you'd probably have to either bury or elevate the express lanes. The MARTA bridge probably precludes elevated lanes, which leaves something like I-635 in Dallas as the remaining option.

As regards to extending 400 south, that's a no-go. The eastside neighborhoods fought those plans 40 years ago and won and in those 40 years, Atlanta's eastside neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park have become some of the mot sought after real estate in the region.

My understanding is that the semi-serious proposals for 400 south would have it tunneled, likely without any access points, between I-20 and I-85. Granted that doesn't mean there wouldn't be any South Pasadena-style hysteria about tunnel subsidence or radon or whatever, but the actual surface impacts would be minimal.

[afguy]

Here's a diagram showing the layout of the Talbotton/Warm Springs Rd widening in Collumbus. The project will get underway this year.

A description of the project...
"Beginning in 2016, GDOT will widen 1.9 miles of  Talbotton/Warm Springs Rd between 7th Ave and Woodruff Rd/Hilton Ave. The work would include reconstructing Talbotton Road/Warm Springs Road from an existing 2‐lane alternating urban/rural section to a 4‐lane urban section.  The typical would consist of four, 11‐foot wide travel lanes (two in each direction), a 16‐foot wide raised median, and 12‐foot wide urban shoulder with a 5‐foot wide sidewalk on at least one side of the project (on both sides of the roadway in residential areas). Turn lanes will be constructed at intersections as required.  Dual left turn lanes will be constructed on both approaches along Warm Springs Road at the intersection with Woodruff Road/Hilton Avenue."
Talbotton/Warm Springs Rd widening-Columbus,GA by brandon walker, on Flickr

[afguy]

More project diagrams from the GDOT files! First up is the proposed widening of U.S. 27 through LaGrange.
U.S. 27 Widening-LaGrange
U.S. 27/SR1 widening-LaGrange,GA by brandon walker, on Flickr

U.S. 27/SR 1 widening-LaGrange,GA by brandon walker, on Flickr

Last is the proposed Third Army Road interchange with I-75. Below is a description of the project and renderings...
Third Army Rd/I-75 interchange-Cobb/Bartow County
GDOT is proposing to build a new limited-access highway from the existing Dabbs Bridge Rd in Paulding County, thru Cobb and Bartow County, to a new interchange at I-75. The new interchange would be located approx. halfway between the bridges over Joe Stella Drive and the bridges over Lake Allatoona. The new limited-access highway would consist of two to three lanes in each direction, with a 24-foot raised median. The new road will be parallel to and lie north of the existing Third Army Rd. The new highway will also include a new grade separated intersection with U.S. 41/Cobb Parkway. To the west of U.S. 41, the proposed project will include the relocation of Dabbs Bridge Rd. The earliest construction would begin is 2018.
Third Army Rd/I-75 Interchange-Cobb/Bartow County by brandon walker, on Flickr

Third Army Road/I-75 Interchange-Cobb/Bartow County by brandon walker, on Flickr

[jeffandnicole]

Third Army Road/I-75 Interchange-Cobb/Bartow County by brandon walker, on Flickr

Ramp leading onto US 41, bottom left: There's no acceleration lane depicted in the perspective view.  Does that mean there'll be a stop sign at the bottom of this ramp?

And why does the ramp onto Third Army Road look like it can handle turns from either direction on 41?

[Tom958]

And why does the ramp onto Third Army Road look like it can handle turns from either direction on 41?

For the same reason that all of the roundabout interchanges shown here are dumbells instead of dogbones. 

Here are some APL's on I-285 approaching I-75. I almost typed "newish," but Streetview has them going up between Oct 2014 and Mar 2015. A case could be made for posting this in a more general signage thread, but this often-epic thread could use a little :wub: at the moment. 

First, still sticking with traditional signage closer to the first offramp than usual. There are four lanes here, but a fifth lane is added on the right shortly before the US 41 exit. That means that both of the right lanes here are option lanes-- not an easy thing to sign by any method. More on that below.



The first APL sign. Note the lack of exit only panels. The fifth lane is added on the right just beyond those bridges. Ideally the legend for I-75 would be between the two right arrows, but it won't fit. Maybe they could try

75
Atlanta
Chatta
nooga

   

One of the challenges of signing this configuration is to communicate that there's a lane drop, but to do so in such a way as not to prompt panicked and possibly unnecessary lanes changing. I've never liked the little California-style exit only tabs, but putting them on the right arrow here would be a really good idea, IMO, especially since we're within well less than a mile of the lane drop. They'd also offer a clue that the configuration shown for the ramp to 75 isn't exactly as it's shown.



Next one, at the ramp for US 41. Fairly unusually for Georgia, the gantry is placed nearly at the nose of the gore. A case could've been made for using a conventional sign for the exit, which would've made it logical to use a split arrow for the upcoming 285-75 divergence, but instead they used the same pattern that Georgia uses where there is no option lane. Oh, well, at least the sign legends are where they're supposed to be in relation to the arrows. Off the topic of sign geekery, the cranes beyond are for the new Braves stadium.



Finally, at the 285-75 split. This time, the gantry is located slightly past the nose of the gore, and therefore once again no split arrow is used. That means that even though there are two successive option lanes, these three APL signs use a grand total of one split arrow between them.

[afguy]

I found these two maps on GDOT's website today. GDOT is really making a big deal of the new funding they are getting because of HB 170 aka the Transportation Funding Act of 2015. Lots of projects are planned in Metro Atlanta, Savannah and other areas of the state over the next 10 years. Projects that caught my eye were the truck only lanes planned for 75 south from S.R. 155 to I-475 North and the state is FINALLY rebuilding the I-16/I-95 interchange and widening I-16 to I-516. All three projects are desperately needed. In the second map it shows the GRIP corridors that will be built over the next 10 years as well. Lots of exciting projects to look forward to between now and 2025.

GDOT Major Mobility Investments by brandon walker, on Flickr

GDOT Freight Mobility GRIP Plans by brandon walker, on Flickr

[Tom958]

But the rural four lane project with the 18/1 benefit/cost ratio didn't make it.

[xcellntbuy]

From the multicolored map, of personal interest is the widening of US 129 and 441 north of Eatonton to Madison at Interstate 20.  Some sections of the road between these two small cities 20 miles north of the old capital are three lanes (an alternating passing lane) through farmland and forested areas.  The pavement is deeply rutted in many places.   

[afguy]

The governor today announced a 10-year, $10 billion transportation plan. The highlights include express toll lanes along I-285 north of I-20, rebuilding both of the I-285 interchanges with I-20, express toll lanes on 400, truck only lanes on I-75 between Macon and Locust Grove, rebuilding the I-16/I-95 interchange in Savannah and widening 7 miles of I-16 in Savannah.

Within the plan is an 18-month list of road resurfacings and bridge repairs and replacements that will cost $2.2 billion. New construction, including interstate express lanes and improvements at interstate exchanges across metro Atlanta, will come later."One year ago, I stood before the General Assembly and urged members to prioritize Georgia's transportation needs,"  Deal said during a ceremony at the Capitol. "Legislators on both sides of the aisle took action, working together to pass legislation addressing these critical needs. Today, we are delivering on our promise."

Georgia Commissioner of Transportation Russell McMurry said the 18-month project list calls for resurfacing more than 2,500 miles of roadways, replacing 118 deteriorating bridges and repairing 300 others. Construction crews also will improve 109 intersections and widen 36 stretches of highway from two lanes to four.
"We now have the ability to start addressing the backlog of work to Georgia's critical infrastructure and increase preventive maintenance across the state," McMurry said. "Our first priority is to take care of the existing transportation system."

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/blog/capitol_vision/2016/01/deal-wants-10-billion-10-year-transportation.html

[afguy]

Georgia plans to build separate lanes for large trucks on Interstate 75 between Macon and exit 155 in McDonough as part of the state's transportation plan.

The new lanes will provide "separation for trucks from the normal passenger cars. So that's definitely a safety improvement, that's definitely a mobility improvement," Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry said Tuesday.

McMurry was speaking at a news conference led by Republican Gov. Nathan Deal to unveil the list of projects that will be funded by several tax and fee changes made last year.

Deal said the projects will reduce congestion and make Georgia's roads safer.

The Legislature passed a new $5 fee per night on hotel and motel stays and new charges for alternative fuel vehicles. Lawmakers also changed the gasoline tax to a tax on volume of gas instead of the sales price, resulting in a rise of five to six cents a gallon when the law went into effect.

Some Republicans called it a big tax increase and refused to vote for it. The bill that contained all the changes, House Bill 170, only passed after contentious debate and with some Democrat support.

The measures in House Bill 170 are expected to raise about $700 million for transportation in the fiscal year that ends in July, McMurry said. The following year, the measures are projected to raise about $830 million.

Read more here: http://www.macon.com/news/local/politics-government/article54295830.html#storylink=cpy

http://www.macon.com/news/local/politics-government/article54295830.html

[afguy]

The AJC broke down the cost of each project. By far the most expensive projects will be the express toll lanes on 285. The lanes on the top will cost $5.9 Billion ! The only other projects in the Billionaires club are the express lanes on 400 at $2.4 Billion and $2 Billion for the truck only lanes on 75 between Macon and McDonough.
http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local/gov-nathan-deal-unveils-10-year-10-billion-transpo/np35c/

[afguy]

A 3.5 mile section of the Fall Line Freeway will open Tuesday...
http://www.13wmaz.com/story/news/local/milledgeville/2016/01/18/fall-line-freeway/78979202/

[afguy]

A diagram of the new DDI currently being built at I-95 and S.R. 21 in Port Wentworth.
I-95/S.R. 21 DDI-Chatham County by brandon walker, on Flickr

[D-Dey65]

I still need info on US 301 info in Georgia, for that Wikipedia article on US 301, and I'd like some info on where it crosses the Jesup City Line, when it leaves Statesboro city limits going north, and most importantly, does the US 301 Business Route in Sylvania still exist, or is that just SR 73?

[Gnutella]

I found these two maps on GDOT's website today. GDOT is really making a big deal of the new funding they are getting because of HB 170 aka the Transportation Funding Act of 2015. Lots of projects are planned in Metro Atlanta, Savannah and other areas of the state over the next 10 years. Projects that caught my eye were the truck only lanes planned for 75 south from S.R. 155 to I-475 North and the state is FINALLY rebuilding the I-16/I-95 interchange and widening I-16 to I-516. All three projects are desperately needed. In the second map it shows the GRIP corridors that will be built over the next 10 years as well. Lots of exciting projects to look forward to between now and 2025.

GDOT Major Mobility Investments by brandon walker, on Flickr

GDOT Freight Mobility GRIP Plans by brandon walker, on Flickr

I'm glad to see that I-85 will be six-laned north to Commerce at least, and I'm also glad to see that U.S. 441 will be four-laned between Athens and Milledgeville, but my enthusiasm is tempered when I see no plans to six-lane I-85 north to the South Carolina state line, or four-lane U.S. 129 between Eatonton and Gray (with a bypass around Gray). The former would put some pressure on South Carolina to do something with I-85, and the latter would provide four lanes the entire way between Athens and Macon.

[Thing 342]

I found these two maps on GDOT's website today. GDOT is really making a big deal of the new funding they are getting because of HB 170 aka the Transportation Funding Act of 2015. Lots of projects are planned in Metro Atlanta, Savannah and other areas of the state over the next 10 years. Projects that caught my eye were the truck only lanes planned for 75 south from S.R. 155 to I-475 North and the state is FINALLY rebuilding the I-16/I-95 interchange and widening I-16 to I-516. All three projects are desperately needed. In the second map it shows the GRIP corridors that will be built over the next 10 years as well. Lots of exciting projects to look forward to between now and 2025.

<images snipped>

I'm glad to see that I-85 will be six-laned north to Commerce at least, and I'm also glad to see that U.S. 441 will be four-laned between Athens and Milledgeville, but my enthusiasm is tempered when I see no plans to six-lane I-85 north to the South Carolina state line, or four-lane U.S. 129 between Eatonton and Gray (with a bypass around Gray). The former would put some pressure on South Carolina to do something with I-85, and the latter would provide four lanes the entire way between Athens and Macon.

I don't really think that 85 needs to be widened all the way to SC, at least not as much as some other projects in the state. Of all the times I've driven it, it doesn't seem to be particularly busy past Braselton. Also, I feel as though SC has done its fair share of work on improving I-85, widening it from Anderson all the way to Spartanburg

[lordsutch]

I'm glad to see that I-85 will be six-laned north to Commerce at least, and I'm also glad to see that U.S. 441 will be four-laned between Athens and Milledgeville, but my enthusiasm is tempered when I see no plans to six-lane I-85 north to the South Carolina state line, or four-lane U.S. 129 between Eatonton and Gray (with a bypass around Gray). The former would put some pressure on South Carolina to do something with I-85, and the latter would provide four lanes the entire way between Athens and Macon.

The 4-lane Gray bypass is already under construction (northern loop, from just west of the U.S. 129/GA 18 intersection west of Gray to GA 22 east of Gray) and there is an LRTP project (actually several separate ones) for widening U.S. 129 between Eatonton and Gray; I guess since it's not part of GRIP it isn't on the priority list.

Here's the southern section, programmed for construction in 2040. Can't find the others off-hand.

That said that section of U.S. 129 at the moment could probably make do with just passing lanes. The traffic really only picks up north of Eatonton to Madison with the added U.S. 441 traffic.

Further north, GA 44 between Eatonton and I-20 also probably needs improvements more than its multiplex with U.S. 129 south of there. The first bit is already in ROW acquisition, which will bypass Eatonton to the north.

[afguy]

Georgia 316 should have been upgraded decades ago. It's poor planning on GDOT's part that its not. While they are planning several interchange projects to make more of the highway limited access, it will take a lot more...

The congestion and fatalities along Ga. 316 between Athens and Duluth have made improving the 40-mile highway a top priority for legislators from Clarke, Oconee, Barrow and Gwinnett counties. The legislative delegations from the three counties jointly backed a white paper this week listing reasons for making the road a limited-access highway its entire length so that intersecting roads would cross via an overpass.

"The critical infrastructure of (State Route) 316 has been ignored to the detriment of the economic interests of the region and the safety of its citizens and visitors,"  said the paper dated Thursday.

Rep. Regina Quick, R-Athens, and Rep. Spencer Frye, D-Athens, had their staffs work together on the paper for presentation Thursday to the House Transportation Committee. It was timed for the committee's vote on a 10-year plan required by last year's road-funding bill. The committee ultimately approved the plan unanimously, but not before Rep. Valerie Clark, R-Lawrenceville, brought up the Ga. 316 concerns.


Now the plan goes to the House Appropriations Committee which must approve the department's budget.

Quick said Friday she remains insistent that every intersection on the highway be upgraded.

"The citizens affected by 316 deserve results after a half-century of broken promises by GDOT. Transportation dollars should be focused on needs, not wants and selected projects should be based on identifiable criteria,"  she said.

According to the paper, the origin of the highway was a decision in 1959 by then-Gov. Ernest Vandiver to divert the route of the planned Interstate 85 toward his home of Franklin County, a stretch that now bears his name. At the time, he promised equivalent access for Athens and Gainesville.

While Gainesville is connected to I-85 by I-985, the road to the Classic City is still dotted with intersections and stoplights. The paper details the 31 fatalities on Ga. 316 since it opened in 1995 and the roughly 600 crashes that occur in the average year.

So far, 5 miles of Ga. 316 in Gwinnett County are limited access.

The latest list from the Transportation Department includes 17 projects at intersections across all three counties over the next 10 years described as "interchange,"  "ramp"  and "grade separation"  which are part of a limited-access design.

But Rep. Buzz Brockway, R-Lawrenceville, attended Thursday's committee meeting and came away frustrated.

"Living in Lawrenceville, I've personally seen accidents and witnessed many close calls on Hwy 316,"  he said. "I hope the House and Senate modify the DOT's 10-year plan to make 316 completely limited access - not just portions of it as the plan currently does."

http://m.onlineathens.com/#article=8225A1CC16171E41A4C461421E3F3047A405

[Gnutella]

Georgia 316 should have been upgraded decades ago. It's poor planning on GDOT's part that its not. While they are planning several interchange projects to make more of the highway limited access, it will take a lot more...

The congestion and fatalities along Ga. 316 between Athens and Duluth have made improving the 40-mile highway a top priority for legislators from Clarke, Oconee, Barrow and Gwinnett counties. The legislative delegations from the three counties jointly backed a white paper this week listing reasons for making the road a limited-access highway its entire length so that intersecting roads would cross via an overpass.

"The critical infrastructure of (State Route) 316 has been ignored to the detriment of the economic interests of the region and the safety of its citizens and visitors,"  said the paper dated Thursday.

Rep. Regina Quick, R-Athens, and Rep. Spencer Frye, D-Athens, had their staffs work together on the paper for presentation Thursday to the House Transportation Committee. It was timed for the committee's vote on a 10-year plan required by last year's road-funding bill. The committee ultimately approved the plan unanimously, but not before Rep. Valerie Clark, R-Lawrenceville, brought up the Ga. 316 concerns.


Now the plan goes to the House Appropriations Committee which must approve the department's budget.

Quick said Friday she remains insistent that every intersection on the highway be upgraded.

"The citizens affected by 316 deserve results after a half-century of broken promises by GDOT. Transportation dollars should be focused on needs, not wants and selected projects should be based on identifiable criteria,"  she said.

According to the paper, the origin of the highway was a decision in 1959 by then-Gov. Ernest Vandiver to divert the route of the planned Interstate 85 toward his home of Franklin County, a stretch that now bears his name. At the time, he promised equivalent access for Athens and Gainesville.

While Gainesville is connected to I-85 by I-985, the road to the Classic City is still dotted with intersections and stoplights. The paper details the 31 fatalities on Ga. 316 since it opened in 1995 and the roughly 600 crashes that occur in the average year.

So far, 5 miles of Ga. 316 in Gwinnett County are limited access.

The latest list from the Transportation Department includes 17 projects at intersections across all three counties over the next 10 years described as "interchange,"  "ramp"  and "grade separation"  which are part of a limited-access design.

But Rep. Buzz Brockway, R-Lawrenceville, attended Thursday's committee meeting and came away frustrated.

"Living in Lawrenceville, I've personally seen accidents and witnessed many close calls on Hwy 316,"  he said. "I hope the House and Senate modify the DOT's 10-year plan to make 316 completely limited access - not just portions of it as the plan currently does."

http://m.onlineathens.com/#article=8225A1CC16171E41A4C461421E3F3047A405

I drive GA 316 very frequently, and I support making it a limited-access highway. While they're at it, they should widen it to at least six lanes and give it full shoulders on both sides. (West of Harbins Road should be eight lanes.) The two segments that should be upgraded first are from GA 20/GA 124 to Harbins Road, and Patrick Mill Road to GA 11. After that, they should focus on the segment from U.S. 78 to the Athens Perimeter, including a radically reconfigured interchange with the Perimeter. The segments from Harbins Road to Patrick Mill Road, and GA 11 to U.S. 78, can be done last.

[afguy]

A Michigan Left intersection is coming to Georgia...

The design, also called a ThrU-turn intersection, is supposed to relieve congestion and improve safety at the intersection of Ga. 141 (Medlock Bridge Road) and State Bridge Road, according to the city's website.

The novelty of the design is that it eliminates left turns. Drivers wanting to turn left continue straight through the intersection, make a U-turn a short distance past it and then double back to make a right turn onto the street they wish to travel on.

"It seems counter-intuitive, but people will actually spend less time driving through the intersection and making a U turn than they do sitting through two or three red lights,"  said Johns Creek Public Works Director Tom Black in a press release.

Computer-modeling conducted on behalf of the city shows wait times could be slashed by three-quarters with a ThrU-turn design.

ThrU-turns also can reduce crashes by 20 to 50 percent, particularly the head-on and angle crashes that tend to cause more severe injuries, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

http://commuting.blog.ajc.com/2016/02/01/johns-creek-may-build-georgias-first-michigan-turn-intersection/

[afguy]

The City of Augusta is planning to reconstruct the Wrightsboro/Interstate 520 interchange as a contraflow left interchange. Work could begin this fall.
Wrightsboro Rd/I-520 Interchange Improvement Project-Augusta by brandon walker, on Flickr

[Georgia]

just glad to see the state and its municipalities be willing to try something new instead of repeating the same mistakes over and over.