Georgia

[afguy]

GDOT is holding a public information meeting tomorrow in Garden City regarding the reconstruction of the I-16/I-95 interchange, plus the widening of I-16 between I-95 and I-516. The project will begin in 2018.

The public is encouraged to come view displays and discuss the details of the proposed major improvement project with Georgia DOT staff. The public meeting is scheduled 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Garden City's City Hall, located at 100 Central Avenue.

The proposed projects would include:

- The addition of one general purpose lane along I-16 eastbound and westbound between I-95 and I-516. Widening for the new lane in each direction is proposed toward the inside median to the extent possible.

- I-16 and I-95 interchange improvements will include reconstructing two of the high-volume loop ramps serving I-95 southbound to eastbound and I-16 westbound to southbound into direct fly-over ramps. Two lower-volume loop ramps serving I-95 northbound to westbound and I-16 eastbound to northbound would be reconstructed and separated from the I-95 mainline; this would eliminate the mainline weaving along I-95. New northbound collector-distributor lanes would be constructed to connect these ramps.

There will be no formal presentation, so interested participants may stop by at any point during the meetings.

Public statements concerning this project will be accepted after the public meeting until July 13 by the following methods:

1) Visit the GDOT project page: https://por.dot.ga.gov/projectInfo/projectInfo.cfm?projID=0012757&projNu... Widening and I-16 at I-95 Interchange Reconst

http://businessinsavannah.com/bis/2016-06-25/bis-brief-public-comment-open-interchange-plans-i-16-i-95

[lordsutch]

Here's the correct link to the GDOT project page for the post above: linky.

[afguy]

Renderings of the proposed improvements to I-16...
I-16/I-95 Interchange Reconstruction-Savannah by brandon walker, on Flickr

I-16 Widening-Savannah by brandon walker, on Flickr

[afguy]

More renderings of the I-16 widening in Savannah...
The reason for the large median between I-95 and Deans Forest Road is so that GDOT can construct hurrican evacuation crossovers.
I-16 Widening-Savannah by brandon walker, on Flickr

I-16 Widening-Savannah by brandon walker, on Flickr

[lordsutch]

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.

I finally got around to updating OSM with the new route. Another 3 miles of freeway in Georgia, which normally would merit a bit more fanfare I guess. One presumes GDOT's ultimate goal would be to connect it to I-516 another mile-and-change further south.

[afguy]

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.

I finally got around to updating OSM with the new route. Another 3 miles of freeway in Georgia, which normally would merit a bit more fanfare I guess. One presumes GDOT's ultimate goal would be to connect it to I-516 another mile-and-change further south.

You would be correct sir. GDOT's long term plan for the S.R. 21 corridor is to create a limited-access facility from I-516 to I-95. They want to build express elevated lanes above S.R. 21 to accomplish this goal. Here's a link:http://www.corempo.org/Manual/ChapterPage.asp?ModID=81

[Gnutella]

So this past weekend, I clinched two Georgia state routes, and was thwarted in my effort to clinch a third. On Saturday, I drove the final segment of GA 17 that I'd never driven before, from Helen north to the North Carolina state line. On Sunday, my plan was to clinch GA 212 by driving the entire length of it from Milledgeville to near Panthersville, but there's a bridge out between GA 20 and GA 138 in Rockdale County, so I was unable to complete it. Instead, I decided to clinch GA 138 by driving the segment from Conyers to Fairburn (I've driven the segment from Conyers to Monroe many times). These are a few of my thoughts:


1. Is it possible to build a GA 17 bypass around Helen? Traffic there is always a nightmare, and I'm sure that some of it is from people who are just passing through. Traffic would be much better if there was a bypass. Based on the terrain, I'm guessing that a bypass east of Helen would be more realistic. It'd be expensive either way, though.

2. The segment of GA 17 north of U.S. 76 is only in Georgia for about a mile and a half before crossing into North Carolina and becoming NC 69. In fact, when you're heading southbound from North Carolina into Georgia, it's less than a mile south of the state line before you can see the traffic signal for U.S. 76 in the distance.

3. GA 212 is a straight shot from Atlanta's eastern suburbs to the "Lake Country" of Georgia. In fact, you pass by both Jackson Lake and Lake Sinclair en route, and the scenery in both areas is very nice. The time it took for me to get from Milledgeville to Conyers was just over an hour, and the traffic was very light east of GA 81.

4. The entire length of GA 138 should be widened to four lanes. Right now, the only segments that are four lanes are from Fairburn to Stockbridge, and though part of Conyers. That means the segment from Stockbridge to Conyers still needs to be widened, as does the segment from Conyers to Monroe.

5. If there is a bypass route around a small town, then that should be signed as the main route while the route into town should be signed as the business route. As it is right now, you can have either that setup, or the route through town signed as the main route with the bypass signed as such. There's no consistency. Furthermore, Georgia could do a much better job of marking routes. For example, routes in Gainesville are very poorly marked.

6. After clinching GA 17, I drove U.S. 76 east to Anderson, SC. Now the only segment of U.S. 76 I need to drive in order to clinch the route in Georgia is everything west of Ellijay. Clinching U.S. 76 in the Carolinas will be difficult, though.

7. If you ever drive on U.S. 129/U.S. 441 south of I-20, be sure to stop by the "PECHES" stand just north of Eatonton. You can't miss it; it's a white building with "PECHES" painted in red on the side, and a trailer right behind it. The hours are 10AM-8PM every day from May through September.


I need to see how my pictures from these two excursions turned out. If they're good, then I'll post some here later this week.

[afguy]

It looks like money has been found to replace the I-20 bridges in Augusta
http://www.wrdw.com/content/news/GDOT-and-SCDOT-to-sign-resolution-funding-new-I-20-canal-and-river-bridges-386491121.html

[afguy]

A more detailed article....

The new, $75 million dollar plan is to widen the Interstate from two to three lanes from the Riverwatch Parkway exit in Georgia, to the Martintown road exit in South Carolina. Some who travel across the bridges often say the bridges are too narrow and need to be replaced. Truck driver, Tony Taylor says, "Two trucks crossing at the same time, you've only got maybe a foot, foot and a half between the mirrors on the trucks. So it definitely needs to be replaced, something needs to be done."  Brenda Davalie, another frequent I-20 traveler says, "They need a new bridge there because it's narrow and it's old and just for safety purposes. I agree, they should change that or redo it or get a new bridge or whatever."

The GDOT says the new bridges will alleviate traffic congestion during wrecks on the bridges. Kyle Collins, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Transportation says, "If there is an incident, plenty of room for emergency personnel and officials to get the vehicles involved in the accident off the travel ways. So there's plenty of room on the inside and outside shoulder to do that, to get traffic back flowing quicker than it is now."

This project is still a ways off.  Bids for the project will be released in 2018, and construction should start in 2019.

http://wjbf.com/2016/07/13/i-20-bridges-to-be-replaced-in-massive-two-state-project/

[afguy]

GDOT yesterday released the construction letting forecast through January 2017. Some of the highlights for me include ramp meters being added to I-20 West from S.R. 139/MLK Drive in Atlanta to S.R. 5 in Douglas County and sign upgrades along I-85 in Gwinnett being let in August, the I-16/I-75 projects being let in September, I-85 being resurfaced from the Brookwood Interchange to S.R. 140/Jimmy Carter Blvd being let in November, I-95 resurfacing from I-16 to the Savannah River being let in December and I-285 being resurfaced from S.R. 42/U.S. 23/Moreland Ave to S.R. 14/South Fulton Parkway being let in January. Here's a link to the schedule:
http://www.dot.ga.gov/PartnerSmart/Business/Documents/Forecast/ProjectLettingForecast-July122016.pdf

[afguy]

Cobb County is putting $5 million toward a $22 million ramp that will connect Akers Mill Road to the I-75 Northwest Corridor Managed Lanes...
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/cobb-to-put-5-million-toward-cumberland-ramp-to-ma/nryTW/

[Fred Defender]

1. Is it possible to build a GA 17 bypass around Helen? Traffic there is always a nightmare, and I'm sure that some of it is from people who are just passing through. Traffic would be much better if there was a bypass. Based on the terrain, I'm guessing that a bypass east of Helen would be more realistic. It'd be expensive either way, though.

There already is a "bypass" around Helen - sort of: GA 75A. It's not a GA17 bypass. It requires you to take GA115 from Clarkesville into Cleveland. But it does get you around Helen and dumps you back onto 17/75 just north in Robertstown. I haven't been to Helen in years. But it has always been a bit of a mini-Gatlinburg. A tourist trap and a traffic nightmare. That's why I don't go there.

I began motorcycling in North Georgia back in the mid-1980's. There is a lot to see in that area - both on- and off-pavement.

[lordsutch]

A couple of notes:

Design plan sheets are now posted for the August 2016 letting, including more signage being replaced on I-16 (M004189), which I think kills off Georgia D on I-16 in combination with the other projects already let (except in the downtown Macon area which will be part of the big September letting to reconstruct and widen the first 3 miles), signage replacements on I-85 in Gwinnett County (M004423), and a new roundabout project in Cherokee County (listed as #10, no project number).

Also the GRIP US 441 widening projects from Eatonton north to I-20 at Madison are having a public meeting next week, although they're not programmed to start construction until FY 2021. That would complete the four-laning of US 441 from I-16 north to north of I-20; it looks like extending the four-lane to Watkinsville is further on the backburner.

[Gnutella]

I began motorcycling in North Georgia back in the mid-1980's. There is a lot to see in that area - both on- and off-pavement.

I've been driving through the north Georgia mountains a lot lately. I clinched GA 60 back in April, and also drove a significant segment of U.S. 64 in western North Carolina. Lots of cool waterfalls up that way.

After clinching GA 17, I also drove a segment of U.S. 76 in upstate South Carolina, from the Georgia state line to Anderson. This coming weekend, I plan to drive a segment of GA 16 from Eatonton to its eastern terminus in Warrenton, clinch I-520 all the way around Augusta (driving clockwise), spend an hour or two in Columbia, and then drive a segment of U.S. 76 from Columbia to Anderson. Once I drive I-520, I will have clinched every Interstate in Georgia, and the only Interstates left for me to clinch in South Carolina will be I-185, I-385 and I-585. I will also have driven U.S. 76 from Ellijay to Columbia, and GA 16 from Griffin to Warrenton.

Also the GRIP US 441 widening projects from Eatonton north to I-20 at Madison are having a public meeting next week, although they're not programmed to start construction until FY 2021. That would complete the four-laning of US 441 from I-16 north to north of I-20; it looks like extending the four-lane to Watkinsville is further on the backburner.

I just hope that when they widen U.S. 129/U.S. 441 between Madison and Eatonton, they don't tear down the roadside stand with "PECHES" painted on the side.

[Tom958]

I've fallen off the face of the Earth. No, not really, but most of my roadgeeking is now done through Facebook groups. I like the quicker feedback, and it's s-o-o-o-o easy to just upload photos straight from my phone, bypassing Imgur. Now I feel guilty for forsaking this valuable forum, but... I don't subscribe to a newspaper, either, even though everyone should. Welcome to the 21st century.

Anyway, last weekend I drove home to Lawrenceville from Charlotte via I-77 and SC-GA 72, which I'd done before-- in 1994 or so! I was more than a little surprised to find that the existing four-laned section of 72 from Comer to Athens is almost all built with a curbed suburban-style median, whether in town or in the countryside. That includes the sections still under construction from Colbert to Comer. There's also a new-terrain bypass under construction from west of Comer to just before the Broad River, east of Carlton. That's about ten miles' worth. Speaking of the Broad River, I'm embarrassed to admit that I was so busy watching the road, looking at the grading for the new bypass and wondering whether to pull over in the light rain to ask those surveyors whether the old bridge piers I could see would survive the project... I didn't notice that the existing bridge was an open spandrel arch from the '30's that was cobbled onto in 1986!:



A few miles east, though is this spectacular bifurcation. The older roadway, now used for eastbound traffic, passes under a railroad, then over a creek. For whatever reason, the newer roadway, c. 1995, passes over both, leading to a huge and scenic difference in elevation. The last time I was through here was when the new bridge was under construction, when today's green overgrowth was a sea of red clay. The new bridge itself is just AASHTO beams, of course, but its height alone is spectacular, and it has T-shaped columns, which I'm a total sucker for:

[Tom958]

Oh, I forgot to mention that the conversion of GA 316 to a freeway from GA 120 to GA 20-124 has been completed, and this sign and its arrow-bearing compadre have survived:



Also, I'll just leave this here. 

[afguy]

The I-85 express lane extension has broken ground...

The 10-mile extension will run from Old Peachtree Road to Hamilton Mill Road, connecting with a 16-mile stretch of toll lanes south along I-85 into northern DeKalb County.

"It's no surprise to those of us who travel this corridor that this is a much-needed project," State Transportation Board member Rudy Bowen of Lawrenceville said during a groundbreaking ceremony held along the highway just south of the Mall of Georgia. "This extension will increase commuting options for motorists."

After initial resistance to the toll lanes when they opened from drivers objecting to the tolls, the ability to drive in less traffic during busy times of day in exchange for a toll has become increasingly popular. The State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA), which operates the program, set a record toll of $12 last fall to drive the entire 16 miles one way. The toll varies according to the level of traffic.

SRTA Executive Director Chris Tomlinson said he expects the toll to rise incrementally when the additional 10-mile stretch opens in 2018, but should run less per mile than the toll lanes further south.

"Congestion is lighter up here, so the price will be lower," he said.

Commuter buses, alternative-fuel vehicles and motorcycles will be exempt from the toll, as they are now in the current toll lanes. Also, drivers of cars with three or more occupants won't have to pay.

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/08/03/i-85-toll-lanes-extension-breaks-ground.html

[afguy]

The money for ramp was supposed to be available in August, but officials now realize they have to pay millions more for I-75 and I-285 construction to accommodate the ramp.

The Cumberland Community Improvement District proposed a ramp at Akers Mill Road in Cumberland as a part of the $834 million Northwest Corridor project. The ramp was supposed to connect Akers Mill Road directly to I-75 to alleviate some of the traffic in the area.

ANIMATION: How the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes would work gallery
ANIMATION: How the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes would work
"Without the ramp, you have a congestion problem and a safety problem left unsolved,"  CID Chairman Leithead said.

The Georgia Department of Transportation agreed to build the ramp if the CID could come up with the money to design and build it at an estimated cost of $22 million by a deadline set for this August, Leithead said.

"The August deadline is no longer relevant,"  Leithead said. "That deadline was for us to raise $22 million for a $22 million project. This is no longer a $22 million project."

Cobb County's Board of Commissioners put $5 million behind the ramp in July and the CID sought other funding partners to cover the construction costs of the project. The CID had nearly reached their $22 million goal.

But a new study of the project set the costs even higher. The initial estimate didn't account for the fact that the construction of the ramp is actually two projects in one, Leithead said.

"They've got to rebuild and widen the portal on I-75 to allow for the additional capacity that our ramp will create,"  Leithead said. He added that the work on the portal alone could cost $18 million on top of the $22 million estimate to build the ramp itself. Other design problems bring the total costs to around $51 million, Leithead said.

The CID is now trying to develop a new plan to build the ramp, starting by setting a new deadline by which to close the funding gap.

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/proposed-i-75-cumberland-ramp-now-estimated-at-51-/nsBDL/

[Henry]

Oh, I forgot to mention that the conversion of GA 316 to a freeway from GA 120 to GA 20-124 has been completed, and this sign and its arrow-bearing compadre have survived:



Also, I'll just leave this here. 

Button-copy in GA? I thought this was nonexistent when the unique narrow-font signs first went up some 25 years ago. It's definitely amazing that it's survived this long.

[Tomahawkin]

Regarding the Hot lanes on I-H 85 in Gwinnett county. Its been 5 years since they have been installed. I'm sure that the SRTA has made a ####load of money off of it. But the question is: Have those hot lanes done anything to alleviate the traffic issues on the northeast expressway? Is it worth it paying 25 bucks a day (during worst congestion scenarios)? IMO, I think that concept was like putting a band aid on a bullet wound?

[Gnutella]

Regarding the Hot lanes on I-H 85 in Gwinnett county. Its been 5 years since they have been installed. I'm sure that the SRTA has made a ####load of money off of it. But the question is: Have those hot lanes done anything to alleviate the traffic issues on the northeast expressway? Is it worth it paying 25 bucks a day (during worst congestion scenarios)? IMO, I think that concept was like putting a band aid on a bullet wound?

I think a better option would be to have two toll lanes so faster traffic can pass the slower traffic in the express lanes.

[Thing 342]

Button-copy in GA? I thought this was nonexistent when the unique narrow-font signs first went up some 25 years ago. It's definitely amazing that it's survived this long.

Button copy still lives in GA if you know where to look. The BGS for the frontage roads along the GA-141 freeway in Doraville still have Button Copy in most places. There may also be some hiding out in downtown Savannah, but I can't remember whether that's true or just something my mind made up.

[afguy]

A new interchange is coming to I-85 in Gwinnett County

On Tuesday the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners accepted a $2 million grant that will help pay for land acquisition for a new interchange at Ga. 324/Gravel Springs Road.

County Transportation Director Alan Chapman said the intersection will feature a diverging diamond interchange like the ones at Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road. The interchange would be about halfway between the Hamilton Mill Road and Ga.20 exits and would be another way to reach the Mall of Georgia, Chapman said.

Land acquisition for the project is expected to cost about $7 million. Commissioners accepted a $2 million grant from the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank to pay for part of the cost. The federal government will cover the rest of the cost of land acquisition.

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/gwinnett-will-get-another-i-85-interchange/nsGqH/

[Tom958]

A new interchange is coming to I-85 in Gwinnett County

On Tuesday the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners accepted a $2 million grant that will help pay for land acquisition for a new interchange at Ga. 324/Gravel Springs Road.

County Transportation Director Alan Chapman said the intersection will feature a diverging diamond interchange like the ones at Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road. The interchange would be about halfway between the Hamilton Mill Road and Ga.20 exits and would be another way to reach the Mall of Georgia, Chapman said.

Land acquisition for the project is expected to cost about $7 million. Commissioners accepted a $2 million grant from the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank to pay for part of the cost. The federal government will cover the rest of the cost of land acquisition.

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/gwinnett-will-get-another-i-85-interchange/nsGqH/

The just-started HOT lane project includes an auxiliary lane from the onramp from GA 20 to 85 northbound to the offramp for this interchange.

[Tom958]