Georgia

[Plutonic Panda]

Good! I just paid my BS emissions test yesterday in Dunwoody for 11.99. Total waste of time and money. I failed last year and had to pay 450.00 for a CO2 emission censor! 🤬🤬🤬

That's not bullshit. It's the law doing what it's supposed to do. Without mandatory inspections, many people would simply let their vehicles pollute, and we'd be Mexico City before long.

It is bullshit. Many states don't have such programs and don't have Mexico City's air. If anything just charge people a yearly carbon emissions fee that is the same cost as an inspection. Stop wasting people's time on stupid shit.

[US 89]

Good! I just paid my BS emissions test yesterday in Dunwoody for 11.99. Total waste of time and money. I failed last year and had to pay 450.00 for a CO2 emission censor!

That's not bullshit. It's the law doing what it's supposed to do. Without mandatory inspections, many people would simply let their vehicles pollute, and we'd be Mexico City before long.

It is bullshit. Many states don’t have such programs and don’t have Mexico City’s air. If anything just charge people a yearly carbon emissions fee that is the same cost as an inspection. Stop wasting people’s time on stupid shit.

It is not bullshit. It is not a tax on carbon emissions or whatever - that's not the point. The point is to keep local air quality good. Imagine what might happen to the region's air quality if all the Atlanta metro freeways were filled with coal-rolling pickup trucks.

I grew up in Utah, where emissions testing is required in the five urban counties in the northern half of the state (Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, Weber, Cache). You bet your ass I appreciated emissions testing there given the area's reputation for relatively poor air quality in the wintertime.

[Plutonic Panda]

Good! I just paid my BS emissions test yesterday in Dunwoody for 11.99. Total waste of time and money. I failed last year and had to pay 450.00 for a CO2 emission censor! 🤬🤬🤬

That's not bullshit. It's the law doing what it's supposed to do. Without mandatory inspections, many people would simply let their vehicles pollute, and we'd be Mexico City before long.

It is bullshit. Many states don't have such programs and don't have Mexico City's air. If anything just charge people a yearly carbon emissions fee that is the same cost as an inspection. Stop wasting people's time on stupid shit.

It is not bullshit. It is not a tax on carbon emissions or whatever - that's not the point. The point is to keep local air quality good. Imagine what might happen to the region's air quality if all the Atlanta metro freeways were filled with coal-rolling trucks.

I grew up in Utah, where emissions testing is required in the five urban counties in the northern half of the state (Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, Weber, Cache). You bet your ass I appreciated emissions testing there given the area's reputation for relatively poor air quality in the wintertime.

It is 100% grade a bullshit.

[ran4sh]

This is what I think the BS part of the emissions requirement is.

It only applies to populated urban areas, which, in Georgia, is Atlanta. That part makes sense.

But, it contains an exemption for certain common situations. For example, a college student whose parents own their car, but are going to college away from Atlanta.

The problem is that certain areas are not allowed to be exempt. A college student from Atlanta who drives a car at Georgia Southern (Statesboro) is eligible to be exempt, but their high school classmate who instead attends UGA (Athens) and brings a car there, is not eligible for the exemption. Wtf?

[Ga293]

I can see the logic in that. Presumably the student at UGA is more likely to spend more time in the inspection area, and is only a half-hour drive or so from an inspection station. The same can't be said for students at Auburn or Clemson, which despite not being in the state, aren't eligible for exemptions.

[architect77]

Good! I just paid my BS emissions test yesterday in Dunwoody for 11.99. Total waste of time and money. I failed last year and had to pay 450.00 for a CO2 emission censor! 🤬🤬🤬

Cars have been getting better at low emissions for a long time. That and cheap natural gas which resulted in coal-fired power generation plants closing, cleaned up our air significantly. 97% of all vehicles passing means it's not a big problem from automobiles anymore. Atlanta has had visible smog when landing at the airport for over 30 years, but it's  better now because of ultra low emissions of new cars.

The San Gabriel mountains are always visible in LA now, and 25 years ago when I lived there only after it rained (5 days a year) would they be even remotely visible.
That's not bullshit. It's the law doing what it's supposed to do. Without mandatory inspections, many people would simply let their vehicles pollute, and we'd be Mexico City before long.



BUT GEORGIA DOESN'T DO SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF CARS like many other states such as NC where every year cars' horn, wipers, are checked, all brake lights headlight, parking must work and not have damaged housing/lens,  and a big crack in the windshield will not pass, and you can't renew registration until it's replaced. Emissions are also part of that inspection, though only metro counties have strict requirements.

It's a good thing in the South where people of all levels of backwoods lifestyle  would have very different conditions of automobles. Georgia could benefit from that.

[epzik8]

I was browsing "Engrish" on Google Images and came across this interesting bag:

[Tomahawkin]

GDOT please address SR 316 And SR 120 interchange! It's a complete Cluster#### even at 2pm in the afternoon. I can't imagine what it's like at 7-9am and 4-7pm

[D-Dey65]

As I drove out of Georgia on I-95 yesterday I looked back and saw the signs approaching northbound Exit 1 replaced. I'm glad they added exit tabs and tell drivers that the exit is for St. Mary's Road, but they did a half-assed job with the signs.

[architect77]

As I drove out of Georgia on I-95 yesterday I looked back and saw the signs approaching northbound Exit 1 replaced. I'm glad they added exit tabs and tell drivers that the exit is for St. Mary's Road, but they did a half-assed job with the signs.

I know. Why is Georgia so unconcerned about the sloppiness of the highway signage? It represents the state on so many levels beyond just conveying the info on the sign itself. Such a tradeoff to living in Atlanta. You give up so much that other states provide.

I have wanted to contact the division on the coast near Florida to request they replace all the brown signs about camping, recreation, etc. because they are embarrassing especially being so close to Florida that has such high standards.

[D-Dey65]

They've got to do something like this;
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:I-85_North_SC_-_Exit_1_-_SC11_Walhalla_(42397990641).jpg

On the one on the gantry next to it, they should just add a pull-through sign for I-95 North; Savannah (three down arrows below).  And remember the smaller sign that told drivers that the next rest area was 116 miles away? That should be a banner under the one a half-mile away from the off-ramp.

[roadman65]

Georgia was one of the first states to use logo signs on I-95 (and probably the rest of the interstates in the state), so you can't say that they are not totally on the ball.

[D-Dey65]

What I'm talking about though is the top portion of the sign being green, and the rest of it being blue.

[architect77]

Georgia was one of the first states to use logo signs on I-95 (and probably the rest of the interstates in the state), so you can't say that they are not totally on the ball.

I don't know what a logo sign is. Anyway I give GDOT credit for using the highly reflective big overheads before many states. They don't need to have lights since the cars' headlights will make them shine bright. Maybe that's why Georgia tilts overhead signs down toward the road to pick up more of the traffic's headlamps. I've wondered about that for years.

Also i like that GDOT has embraced digital signs that ironically display images of green signs of upcoming exits. I guess if they can't do a good job erecting real signs, this is the next best thing.

That South Carolina photo...Here's what I see:

1) a simple shield for a state road, a square. That's a good thing.
2) a cantilevered overhead in the distance, smart, efficient and  I like that SC double loads them. Sorta elegant in my opinion.
3) horrible pavement condition, bad. The sign's corners aren't rounded like NY, NC, and FL's. not great.

The sign isn't anything special either, though i like signs doing double duty with more than one background color. Efficient.

[ran4sh]

I don't know what a logo sign is.

The way some users on here use that term, a "logo sign" is what the MUTCD calls a "Specific Service Sign". The ones indicating the specific businesses (by logo) that provide the given services at each exit.

Maybe that's why Georgia tilts overhead signs down toward the road to pick up more of the traffic's headlamps. I've wondered about that for years.

Isn't that somewhat common though? Most states either mount their overhead signs vertical (no tilt) or with a slight tilt downward. A few states use an upward tilt, including SC and LA.

As for that SC I-85 Exit 1 sign, the idea is that Georgia should do the same for its first exit on I-95 north, because it is a similar condition of that exit ramp being both for the exit and for the welcome center.

[Ga293]

This sign on Maxham Road where it intersects SR 6/Thorton Road in Lithia Springs is a doozy.



Besides the fact that SR 6 is a west-east route, and that the left turn would take you south on eastbound SR 6, it's posted on the wrong side of the road. It's located about where the fire hydrant is in this view, potentially luring unfamiliar, nighttime, and/or stupid drivers over the poorly marked turning lane into oncoming lanes of traffic.

[architect77]

I don't know what a logo sign is.

The way some users on here use that term, a "logo sign" is what the MUTCD calls a "Specific Service Sign". The ones indicating the specific businesses (by logo) that provide the given services at each exit.

Maybe that's why Georgia tilts overhead signs down toward the road to pick up more of the traffic's headlamps. I've wondered about that for years.

Isn't that somewhat common though? Most states either mount their overhead signs vertical (no tilt) or with a slight tilt downward. A few states use an upward tilt, including SC and LA.

As for that SC I-85 Exit 1 sign, the idea is that Georgia should do the same for its first exit on I-95 north, because it is a similar condition of that exit ramp being both for the exit and for the welcome center.

OMG I've noticed that in SC but thought is was unintentional. Remember the green boards they had covering the gap between the light ledge and the sign?

I've never noticed the tilt down in any other state.

I like hoe Georgia mounts overheads to the sides of overpasses, it's cleaner than another gantry right in front of overpass which is wasteful.

I thought logo signs might be the blue restaurant signs, but thought it could possibly be shields that they were referring to.

Everyone please email GDOT about updating Peachtree Ind. signage. It's decrepit and decades overdue for new ones to match the new pavement. thx

[US 89]

Everyone please email GDOT about updating Peachtree Ind. signage. It's decrepit and decades overdue for new ones to match the new pavement. thx

Alternatively, please don't. Some of the last all-caps button copy is up there

[architect77]

Everyone please email GDOT about updating Peachtree Ind. signage. It's decrepit and decades overdue for new ones to match the new pavement. thx

Alternatively, please don't. Some of the last all-caps button copy is up there

Your request isn't in the best interests of the 10.8 million residents of Georgia, a state recently catapulted into the top echelon of the most populated states despite being largely unprepared to measure up to the others that have long histories of high standards of excellence.

I can understand your appreciation for the history of the evolution of highway signs, and I can even point out 2 other button copy signs in intown Atlanta that continue to exist un-noticed but the negative connotations coming from neglected infrastructure amounts to immeasurable lost revenue to the state from companies and tax-paying citizens' avoidance of relocating or doing business with a state that doesn't have its act together, failing on such easy tasks of basic maintenance.

If you love button copy, you should be collecting it or advocating it being displayed in museums related to the history of the state or national transportation system.

It isn't fair to every one else who wants to live in a 21st century, top-tier state to push for not updating our infrastrcture to ensure safe travel and giving a sense of pride in where we live.

Here are just 2 examples of the dozens of embarrassing guidance signs on Peachtree Ind., a major corridor of growth with $4,000 mo. apartments being built nearby in Duluth.

Our tax dollars deserve more results than this. I'd be embarrassed to host out-of-state friends visiting if I had to take them down this road:

There are far worse instances than these also.

piblvd by Stephen Edwards, on Flickr

piblvdaccess by Stephen Edwards, on Flickr

[architect77]

i just traveled from Altanta on I-20 to Augusta through Columbia to Wilmington, NC to Raleigh through Charlotte and back to Atlanta.

I-85 is in far better condition in Georgia than I-20 which looks neglected and in poor condition for 65% of the way to Augusta.

For a state that builds almost no new roads, you'd think that the 1960's-built original interstates would be kept in stellar condition. Afterall, what else does the DOT have to do everyday for the past 60 years? Adding a lane here and there in metro Atlanta hardly is an excuse.

I-20 needs better pavement, better shoulders, some signage replaced, and sadly is too narrow0-feeling in the East part of metro Altanta.

Even worse, when you drive on I-20 through places like Covington, it looks like every interchange is built to the absolute minimum standards from many decades ago, not sufficient for the metro which is the 9th, soon to be 8th biggest in the country.

Even intown, there are dangerous examples of interchanges on our basic loop and spoke layout of interstates not often mentioned like the transition from I-20 East to I-285 North. Even the signage at this interchange isn't kept up to "readable" status.

GDOT is hellbent on not spending money in any area predominantly minority-populated and it's reprehensible.

They've admitted to me on the phone about not picking up trash along I-20 West, and that sentiment is also evident in Latino areas like Doraville, Jimmy Carter Blvd. corridor, etc.

Even the newly widened part of I-85 heading towards Commerce, all of the overhead gantries Southbound are leaning down to the left, and one of them look slanted 15 degrees or more.

It looks like handmade signs on The Beverly Hillbillies or the style of the tv variety show Hee-Haw that connotes the South can't or hasn't yet mastered the tools to produce signs correctly.

And to be fair, SC ain't all that better going through Columbia but I excuse that state because every interstate junction has cantilevered overhead signs with the distination control cities of each direction of the interstate while Georgia has the tiniest lane signs doing such a big job as that.

And North Carolina has many maintenance needs statewide as NCDOT was so overextended from multiple hurricanes that it doesn't have the money right now for so much maintenance that's needed, especially litter removal.

Raleigh has the most visible trash along its freeways almost continuous without any clean spots of any city in America. It's an absolute travesty that I have hounded them about many times to no avail.

[Georgia]

That eastern 20-285 interchange is slated to be replaced shortly, just gives GDOT another excuse not to fix the signage when it will be out of date in a year.

[Tomahawkin]

That interchange improvement is 25 years overdue! IMO that interchange is the most antiquated interchange in the Southeast! They are also going to be adding DDI's to Panola Road and SR 138 in Conyers. That interchange is in bad shape...

[D-Dey65]

The sign isn't anything special either, though i like signs doing double duty with more than one background color. Efficient.

Me too, and in another part of the country, I also think green and brown signs with white lettering ought to be installed at Exit 18 on the Southern State Parkway.

Maybe this should be an issue for the road signage board.

[Gnutella]

GA 316 UPDATES

I recently noticed some construction equipment set up and vegetation cleared between the Cedars Road and Hurricane Trail intersections, and I wonder if this is the start of preparatory work for the westbound RIRO at Cedars Road. (There will be no access to Cedars Road from GA 316 eastbound.) Farther east, the Harbins Road overpass now has all beams in place, and the base pavement is now in place for the collector/distributor lanes between Harbins Road and the Sugarloaf Parkway (east junction) interchange. The westbound off-ramp and eastbound on-ramp appear to be the last pieces of the interchange to be constructed, since the land hasn't been graded for them yet.

The GA 81 interchange is now complete, and all construction equipment removed. Unfortunately, this just means that the westbound bottleneck has moved to the Carl-Bethlehem Road intersection, which desperately needs an overpass, especially once construction for the West Winder Bypass interchange begins. Speaking of the West Winder Bypass, it will be constructed just to the east of the Patrick Mill Road intersection, and GA 211 will be realigned to the bypass, eliminating its current circuitous routing through Winder to GA 316 near Statham.

Lots of earth is being moved in the vicinity of the GA 11 interchange site. An existing residential road just north of GA 316 and east of GA 11 has to be realigned in order to make room for the westbound off-ramp. Eventually, this realigned road will become part of an extended frontage road, which currently ends at Harry McCarty Road, about a mile west of GA 11. After that, expect the next phase of construction to be all the on- and off-ramps, with GA 316 traffic shifted to them while new bridges are built for GA 316 to pass over GA 11.

The eastbound on- and off-ramps at the GA 53 interchange site have been completed, as has the westbound off-ramp, but nothing has happened with the westbound on-ramp yet, because building it will require either a retaining wall or large amounts of earth to be moved. Like the GA 11 interchange site, expect GA 316 traffic to be moved to the ramps eventually as bridges are built for GA 316 to pass over GA 53.

[Tomahawkin]

IMO, The bridge overpasses and improvements at intersections are 25 years overdue! i have been a broken record on saying this! The Riverside PKWY overpass needs to be redone and 316 should be 8-10 lanes all the way to Athens. I have seen the sprawl in Winder as well as in Barrow county as a whole. If a Amazon Warehouse center comes out there??? That means more traffic. I wish Gwinnett would use some their TSPLOST Funding to address issues on 316 as well as US 78