Georgia

[afguy]

I-20 is FINALLY being repaved between Thornton Rd and Hill St in Atlanta....
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2016/04/traffic-alert-major-i-20-resurfacing-project-to.html

[afguy]

Cobb County officials will seek two federal grants to cover the majority of costs for a proposed ramp from Akers Mill Road to managed toll lanes being constructed along Interstate 75.
The council will apply on behalf of the Cumberland Community Improvement District, which says the ramp is needed to relieve traffic congestion in the Cumberland area, reports Marietta Daily Journal.

The Cumberland area is home to the Atlanta Braves' new SunTrust Park home. The team plans to move in time for Opening Day 2017.
The CID must convince state transportation officials it can fund the ramp, or it will not be included in the project to add 30 miles of reversible toll lanes along Interstates 75 and 575, the MDJ adds.

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2016/04/cobb-seeks-federal-money-for-interstate-ramp-to.html

[afguy]

GA 316 is slowly but surely becoming an interstate grade facility....

Signalized intersections on Route 316 between Lawrenceville and Athens are on the way out, and grade-separated interchanges are on the way in, according to Georgia DOT commissioner Russell McMurry. Commissioner McMurry made the announcement at a Wednesday meeting of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. Ten grade separated interchanges along the route will be under construction starting in 2017 and continuing through 2026. An additional three interchanges are on the drawing board, but money for construction has not been allocated.
An interchange at State Route 81 south of Winder should start construction in 2017. In 2018, work begins on an interchange at Highway 53. 2020 begins the start of interchange construction at Highway 11 and at Patrick Mill Road. In 2022, work begins at the intersection of Winder Highway and 316 in Lawrenceville. In Athens, work begins on an interchange at the Oconee Connector in 2023. The interchange at Epps Bridge Road gets reworked in 2024. Work on an interchange at Harbins Road in Gwinnett also begins in 2024, and in 2026 construction starts at SR 211 / Bethlehem Road. Three additional interchanges, at Drowning Creek Road in Gwinnett, Barber Creek Road in Barrow County, and Jimmy Daniel Road in Oconee County are slated to begin construction after 2026.

McMurry said that all of this construction was made possible by the passage of the Transportation Funding Act in 2015. Even with all this work, the heavily used route will still have non signalized entrances and exits at smaller roads along the route, so it won't be at true Interstate standards.

Commissioner McMurry told attendees at the chamber meeting that he was happy Governor Deal signed the Fiscal 2017 budget, which includes $825 million derived from the Transportation Funding Act. That funding was made possible by converting the state sales tax on gasoline to an excise tax, adding an additional registration fee for electric vehicles, and imposing a $5 per night fee on most hotel room rentals.

http://www.georgiapol.com/2016/05/05/congestion-relief-ahead-along-state-route-316-lawrenceville-athens/

[Tom958]

GA 316 is slowly but surely becoming an interstate grade facility....

Signalized intersections on Route 316 between Lawrenceville and Athens are on the way out, and grade-separated interchanges are on the way in, according to Georgia DOT commissioner Russell McMurry. Commissioner McMurry made the announcement at a...

http://www.georgiapol.com/2016/05/05/congestion-relief-ahead-along-state-route-316-lawrenceville-athens/

As someone who's been commuting between Lawrenceville and Athens via 316 for the last several months, I think that it's a mistake to put in interchanges at seemingly random locations. To me, it'd be much better to start at GA 20 and work east, eliminating at-grade access points as well as building interchanges, and with a clear demarcation between freeway to the west and non-freeway to the east. I think that piecemeal improvements as GDOT intends to do will create confusion that'll lead to accidents, and will put further stress on already-dangerous at-grade access points.

[Tom958]

Signage debacle on 285, posted in Erroneous Road Signs

[afguy]

I seriously wish GDOT would get its act together when it comes to replacing signs. It seems like they are taking a half-ass approach to it. Also I wish GDOT would push for new interstates outside of Metro Atlanta. Especially a new north-south interestate between Augusta and Savannah. Also new east-west interstates between Columbus and Augusta and Columbus to Brunswick.

[afguy]

The I-85 HOT lane extension begins this summer...

The GDOT leader told the Gwinnett Chamber Wednesday that work on new high-occupancy toll lanes that extend the existing toll lanes north to Hamilton Mill Road is expected to begin in August, reports Gwinnett Daily Post.
Ten miles of new toll lanes will be built over the next two years between Old Peachtree Road and Hamilton Mill Road as part of the project, the paper adds.

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2016/05/gdot-head-i-85-toll-lane-expansion-coming-this.html

[lordsutch]

I seriously wish GDOT would get its act together when it comes to replacing signs. It seems like they are taking a half-ass approach to it.

There are some pretty big interstate signage replacement projects coming up this summer replacing a lot of the old Georgia D signs with oversized Series E(M) signs, which will also include half-mile markers in rural areas. The one for I-16 and part of I-75 around Macon (except through the section about to be rebuilt) was let in April and I-16 near Savannah is being let this month; a bunch more are scheduled in June and July I think.

Also I wish GDOT would push for new interstates outside of Metro Atlanta. Especially a new north-south interestate between Augusta and Savannah. Also new east-west interstates between Columbus and Augusta and Columbus to Brunswick.

I suppose they could dust off the I-3 (Savannah-Augusta) and I-14 (Augusta-Macon-Columbus-Montgomery) proposals, but at this point it's all about money, which GDOT doesn't even have for the projects in urban and suburban areas much less for economic development efforts like new rural Interstates.

That and the fact the existing GRIP corridors on those routes (and on the Golden Isles Parkway corridor from I-75 to Brunswick, which sorta-connects to the Fall Line Freeway corridor for your Columbus-Brunswick corridor) barely draw any traffic already; maybe when the Fall Line Freeway finally is vaguely-continuous in October people will start to use it more, but I'm not holding my breath. Part of that is GDOT's fault for building it on the cheap with a lot of 5-lane sections through small towns rather than building access-controlled bypasses and dragging its feet on raising speed limits to 65 on rural sections, mind you. And then there's the whole Macon routing debacle in the middle.

[jwolfer]

I seriously wish GDOT would get its act together when it comes to replacing signs. It seems like they are taking a half-ass approach to it.

There are some pretty big interstate signage replacement projects coming up this summer replacing a lot of the old Georgia D signs with oversized Series E(M) signs, which will also include half-mile markers in rural areas. The one for I-16 and part of I-75 around Macon (except through the section about to be rebuilt) was let in April and I-16 near Savannah is being let this month; a bunch more are scheduled in June and July I think.

Also I wish GDOT would push for new interstates outside of Metro Atlanta. Especially a new north-south interestate between Augusta and Savannah. Also new east-west interstates between Columbus and Augusta and Columbus to Brunswick.

I suppose they could dust off the I-3 (Savannah-Augusta) and I-14 (Augusta-Macon-Columbus-Montgomery) proposals, but at this point it's all about money, which GDOT doesn't even have for the projects in urban and suburban areas much less for economic development efforts like new rural Interstates.

That and the fact the existing GRIP corridors on those routes (and on the Golden Isles Parkway corridor from I-75 to Brunswick, which sorta-connects to the Fall Line Freeway corridor for your Columbus-Brunswick corridor) barely draw any traffic already; maybe when the Fall Line Freeway finally is vaguely-continuous in October people will start to use it more, but I'm not holding my breath. Part of that is GDOT's fault for building it on the cheap with a lot of 5-lane sections through small towns rather than building access-controlled bypasses and dragging its feet on raising speed limits to 65 on rural sections, mind you. And then there's the whole Macon routing debacle in the middle.

Agreed on us82 barely any traffic.  All 4 lanes.. Perhaps some small town bypasses but no need for interstate

[Gnutella]

GA 316 is slowly but surely becoming an interstate grade facility....

Signalized intersections on Route 316 between Lawrenceville and Athens are on the way out, and grade-separated interchanges are on the way in, according to Georgia DOT commissioner Russell McMurry. Commissioner McMurry made the announcement at a...

http://www.georgiapol.com/2016/05/05/congestion-relief-ahead-along-state-route-316-lawrenceville-athens/

As someone who's been commuting between Lawrenceville and Athens via 316 for the last several months, I think that it's a mistake to put in interchanges at seemingly random locations. To me, it'd be much better to start at GA 20 and work east, eliminating at-grade access points as well as building interchanges, and with a clear demarcation between freeway to the west and non-freeway to the east. I think that piecemeal improvements as GDOT intends to do will create confusion that'll lead to accidents, and will put further stress on already-dangerous at-grade access points.

I only half-agree. Backups at GA 11 and GA 81 are too big to put off. If I was in charge of upgrading GA 316, here's the order in which I'd do it:


1. Interchanges at U.S. 29 and GA 81, with overpasses at Hi-Hope Road, Progress Center Avenue and Carl-Bethlehem Road.

2. Interchanges at Cedars Road and GA 11, with overpasses at Harry McCarty Road and Harrison Mill Road, and dead ends for Fence Road and Hurricane Trail.

3. Interchanges at Harbins Road, Kilcrease Road and Patrick Mill Road, with an overpass at Drowning Creek Road.

4. An elaborate interchange at the Athens Perimeter and the Oconee Connector, with overpasses at Julian Drive, Jimmy Daniel Road and Virgil Langford Road.

5. Interchanges at GA 53 and GA 211, with overpasses at Smith Cemetery Road, Jackson Trail Road and Wall Road.

6. An interchange at McNutt Creek Road, with overpasses at Barber Creek Road, Craft Road, Crowe Road, Dials Mill Road and Mars Hill Road.


After that, I'd widen GA 316 to six lanes for its entire length, plus two Peach Pass lanes from Harbins Road to I-85. I'd also widen the Athens Perimeter to six lanes from GA 316 to U.S. 78 East (Oconee Street/Lexington Road), and I'd widen Mars Hill Road to four lanes from McNutt Creek Road to the Oconee Connector.

[D-Dey65]

I'm more interested in what, if anything, will happen to 129 north of Gainesville. What a mess!

I assume that whatever does happen, it'll be tied to the completion of the Cleveland Bypass. Speaking of which, I have to ask something about that; Since that bypass is supposed to run east of US 129 towards GA 75 when it's done, will that segment be a bannered route of GA 75 or a realignment of that route.

And while we're on the subject of US 129 related bypasses, what can you people tell me about the one in Gray? Will that be a realignment of US 129, and if so, what will it be between the north end and GA 22 east of town?

[Tom958]

GA 316 is slowly but surely becoming an interstate grade facility....
http://www.georgiapol.com/2016/05/05/congestion-relief-ahead-along-state-route-316-lawrenceville-athens/

If I was in charge of upgrading GA 316, here's the order in which I'd do it:

Such pretty dreams. Unfortunately:

Even with all this work, the heavily used route will still have non signalized entrances and exits at smaller roads along the route, so it won't be at true Interstate standards.

[lordsutch]

And while we're on the subject of US 129 related bypasses, what can you people tell me about the one in Gray? Will that be a realignment of US 129, and if so, what will it be between the north end and GA 22 east of town?

The design plans show the route being marked, literally, as "Gray Bypass" without any route number at all, except the short duplex with GA 18 at the west end.

Logically GA 22 Bypass would be a reasonable designation for the full route.

[Tom958]

"Public detour open house" for the interchanges at GA 316 with GA 81 and GA 11, 5-7pm Tuesday May 31 at Apalachee High School. Perhaps I'll see you there.

[Alex]

Jimmy Deloach Parkway connector ready for trucks

The state held a ribbon cutting for the Jimmy Deloach Parkway Connector on Friday morning, opening the 3.1-mile stretch of road from Highway 307 to Jimmy Deloach Parkway.

Opening the connector gives trucks a direct access from Interstate 95 to the port of Savannah and allows them to bypass more than three miles of Highway 21.

"This is the direct east-west link from the port to the interstate,"  said Gov. Nathan Deal. "It will dramatically reduce the congestion and improve the safety on these roads."

State officials anticipate the connector will provide more than 8,000 trucks each day a direct path to the port from I-95 and I-16. Trucks will avoid four traffic signals because of the connector.

The state sold $100 million in bonds to back the project, which was done without federal assistance. The groundbreaking was held Oct. 17, 2013.

[Eth]

Let's take a look at how the express lanes are coming along on I-75/I-575 (all photos taken today):



The beginning of the construction zone on I-575 southbound.




Bridge deck off to the right as you merge from I-575 onto I-75.




The express lanes are elevated over the interchange at GA 5.




Not yet done over the gore area at Delk Road.




As you get down toward Windy Hill, it looks like the express lanes may be located where some of the current I-75 southbound lanes are. From a quick glance in my rear view mirror, I saw that this is a left exit sign for Terrell Mill Road, which doesn't have direct access from the existing freeway.

[Tomahawkin]

I have noticed that it seems that there are going to be left lane merges to access the toll lanes from 285 east to 75 north? I hope that's not the plan? I also noticed that the south side toll lanes end at 675 where interstate 75 crosses S.R. 138 over a 3 lanes on one side. That bridge needs at least 2 more lanes in each direction. To handle the toll lane merges, in both directions. IMO

[afguy]

The Downtown Connector will be resurfaced beginning this summer...
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/06/08/downtown-connector-resurfacingto-begin-this-summer.html

[Georgia]

Didn't the connector get repaved like 7 years ago?
Having to have it re-paved again so soon?

I think ER Snell got the last contract, not CWM.

[xcellntbuy]

The Downtown Connector will be resurfaced beginning this summer...
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/06/08/downtown-connector-resurfacingto-begin-this-summer.html

It needs it.  Some of the deep ruts are huge around the Interstate 20 area ramps, in particular.

[Gnutella]

The Downtown Connector will be resurfaced beginning this summer...
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/06/08/downtown-connector-resurfacingto-begin-this-summer.html

It needs it.  Some of the deep ruts are huge around the Interstate 20 area ramps, in particular.

OK, god. South of Grady Curve needs to be resurfaced, but north of Grady Curve is in good shape.

[lordsutch]

Another 100 miles of Georgia D signage on I-20 is about to disappear in the July letting. See here for the sheets: http://www.atlantaplanroom.com/plans.php?job=805

Also notable: two APL signs will be installed for the I-520 exit (pages 75 and 80 of the plans). 2/10th mile markers will also be added in the urban/suburban areas and 5/10th mile markers will be added in the rural areas.

I assume progress is underway on the I-16 replacements but I haven't had a chance to go check them out yet.

[Tom958]

Another 100 miles of Georgia D signage on I-20 is about to disappear in the July letting. See here for the sheets: http://www.atlantaplanroom.com/plans.php?job=805

Also notable: two APL signs will be installed for the I-520 exit (pages 75 and 80 of the plans).

One of the APL's is over a mile in advance of the exit, but bears no distance to it. Wassup with that?

In the westbound direction, the mounting scheme for the one mile sign includes a full overhead with provision for another large sign to the right, over what's now shoulder and clear zone. Again, wassup with that? http://www.atlantaplanroom.com/viewer/viewer.php?job=805&section=1881&file=B1CBA1601337-0_0083.pdf

And, at long last, the new signs will include US 78 shields for the US 78 interchange in Thomson. The current signs inexplicably reference only GA 17.

[Henry]

This is a sad day for the Peach State! I always loved its variant of the Series D font; it's the best-looking one thus far.

[afguy]

Another 100 miles of Georgia D signage on I-20 is about to disappear in the July letting. See here for the sheets: http://www.atlantaplanroom.com/plans.php?job=805

Also notable: two APL signs will be installed for the I-520 exit (pages 75 and 80 of the plans).

One of the APL's is over a mile in advance of the exit, but bears no distance to it. Wassup with that?

In the westbound direction, the mounting scheme for the one mile sign includes a full overhead with provision for another large sign to the right, over what's now shoulder and clear zone. Again, wassup with that? http://www.atlantaplanroom.com/viewer/viewer.php?job=805&section=1881&file=B1CBA1601337-0_0083.pdf

And, at long last, the new signs will include US 78 shields for the US 78 interchange in Thomson. The current signs inexplicably reference only GA 17.

I'm glad they're added a U.S. 78 reference in the new signs as well, long overdue. BTW, perhaps I overlooked it, but I didn't see any new signs planned for Exit 190 in Columbia County. I would imagine this exit was overlooked because GDOT is planning to reconfigure this interchange in 2016 as DDI.