Georgia DOT to Host Public Information Open Houses on Proposed I-285 Top End Express Lanes and Three I-285 Advanced Improvement Projects
ATLANTA, GA – The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) will host a series of Public Information Open Houses (PIOHs) regarding the proposed I-285 Top End Express Lanes (PI 0001758) in Cobb, Fulton, and DeKalb counties as well as three of the six I-285 Advanced Improvement Projects: I-285 Westbound Auxiliary Lane Extension (PI 0017130), the I-285 Westbound Collector-Distributor Lanes (PI 0017125), and the I-285/Peachtree Industrial Boulevard Interchange Improvements (PI 0017126). All projects are part of the Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP), which seeks to enhance mobility and safety, fuel economic growth, and improve quality of life.
The I-285 Top End Express Lanes project proposes to construct express lanes from just south of Paces Ferry Road (Exit 18) in Cobb County to Henderson Road in DeKalb County, plus a section of SR 400 from south of Glenridge Connector to the vicinity of the North Springs MARTA Station for system-wide connectivity. The proposed express lanes would improve mobility and travel time reliability along the I-285 corridor and become part of the larger Georgia Express Lanes network. The I-285 Top End Express Lanes will be delivered as two smaller construction packages – I-285 Top End East Express Lanes and I-285 Top End West Express Lanes – to maximize competition, maintain good pricing, and phase construction for improved maintenance of traffic during construction.
Advancing the improvement projects along I-285 into the construction phase ahead of the proposed I-285 Top End Express Lanes will provide localized road improvements earlier and help to mitigate traffic challenges during the construction of the express lanes. Offering additional opportunities to bid on these projects helps to maintain healthy competition among our construction developer partners and supports jobs in the construction industry.
The public is invited to attend the PIOH meetings to learn more about the I-285 Top End Express Lanes and I-285 Advanced Improvement Projects on the following dates, times, and locations:
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The I-285 Top End Express Lanes project (PI 0001758) focuses on improved mobility and more reliable trip times. Project specifics include:
- 22 miles of new at-grade and elevated, barrier-separated express lanes in both directions of I-285 from just south of Paces Ferry Road in Cobb County to Henderson Road in DeKalb County, and along SR 400 from Glenridge Connector to the North Springs MARTA Station.
- Two lanes in both directions are proposed between I-75 and I-85.
- Single lanes in both directions are proposed from I-75 to Paces Ferry Road and from I-85 to Henderson Road.
- Several new bridges and access points to maintain traffic flow.
- Connectivity to the greater express lanes system by tying in to the existing Northwest Corridor Express Lanes and I-85 Express Lanes, and future SR 400 Express Lanes, I-285 Eastside Express Lanes, and I-285 Westside Express Lanes.
Project specifics for the I-285 Advanced Improvement Projects that will be represented at the PIOH include:
- I-285 Westbound Auxiliary Lane Extension (PI 0017130) – extends an auxiliary lane between Roswell Road and Riverside Drive and replaces I-285/Mount Vernon Highway overpass bridge to provide relief between MMIP project construction and allow for greater maintenance of traffic during express lanes construction.
- I-285 Westbound Collector-Distributor (CD) Lanes (PI 0017125) – extends CD lanes constructed under the Transform 285/400 Interchange project from Chamblee Dunwoody Road to Ashford Dunwoody Road to alleviate traffic congestion sooner.
- I-285/Peachtree Industrial Boulevard Interchange Improvements (PI 0017126) – provides CD lanes and adjusts the horizontal curve of an exit ramp to reduce the bottleneck from I-285 to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard northbound.
The purpose of the PIOH meetings is to provide the public with opportunities to learn more about these projects, see project concepts, ask questions to project team representatives, and submit comments. The PIOHs will be informal, and the public is invited to attend at any time during these hours. There will be no formal presentation. The same information will be presented at all meetings. A court reporter will be available to allow the public an opportunity to make verbal comments about the projects. Additional project information for the I-285 Top End Express Lanes can be found at http://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/GEL/I285TopEnd. A dedicated email and phone number (voicemail) is also available at TopEndExpressLanes@dot.ga.gov or (404) 978-7490. Additional information regarding the I-285 Advanced Improvement Projects can be found on the project webpage www.majormobilityga.com/advancedprojects or through the dedicated project email address Advanced_Improvements@dot.ga.gov.
Major Mobility Investment Program
The Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) includes large-scale projects that are state and federally funded dedicated to improving roads and bridges. Together, these projects will create additional capacity, improve the movement of freight, provide operational improvements and efficiencies, enhance safety, and decrease travel times across Georgia. Many of the projects support regional transit providers and enhance existing and future transit operations. More information about the MMIP, updated projects and delivery schedules, and benefits of the Program can be found at www.dot.ga.gov/MMIP.
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