What improvements are being proposed for I-75 and I-575?

Georgia Transportation Partners (GTP) has submitted an innovative proposal to add congestion-priced “express toll lanes” and a bus rapid transit system to the I-75/I-575 corridor, north of Interstate 285. The existing lanes will remain free.

The proposal includes an option to add commercial truck-only toll lanes to the corridor. By separating trucks from other types of traffic, the proposal offers improved roadway safety and further reduces congestion in the existing lanes.

Where will these improvements happen?

The project will encompass the Northwest Corridor of Atlanta, which is loosely bounded by I-285 to the south, and Hickory Grove Road and Sixes Road to the north.

How does this proposal relate to the ongoing environmental assessment for the Northwest Corridor?

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) are jointly sponsoring an environmental assessment of transportation improvement alternatives in the I-75/I-575 Northwest Corridor (reference www.nwhovbrt.com). If GDOT selects the GTP proposal, the proposed concepts would be incorporated into the environmental assessment process. The environmental process will ultimately determine what transportation improvements, if any, will be implemented in the corridor.

When will construction begin and end?

Based on current estimates, design and engineering will begin in 2005 in parallel with the ongoing environmental process being led by the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority. Construction could begin in 2007 after completion of the environmental study and preliminary engineering and development activities. Depending on which options are included, construction should be completed between 2011 and 2013. This project shaves as much as seven years from the currently planned GDOT/GRTA project timeline.

How much will the toll cost?

Preliminary studies suggest that toll rates could range from less than 10 cents per mile off-peak to 40 cents per mile during peak periods, or $1.00 to $4.00 for a typical 10-mile trip. Only drivers using the express toll lanes will pay a toll, but all drivers in the corridor will benefit from reduced congestion on the existing, heavily-traveled “free” lanes.

Actual toll rates will vary depending on time of day, direction of travel and level of congestion. Prices will be set to maintain free-flow traffic in the new toll lanes, even during rush hour.

Who are the people and groups involved in the Northwest Corridor project?

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is working with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) and the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) to develop and define the transportation vision for the Northwest Corridor. Public meetings are underway to gain input on plans for the corridor.

Georgia Transportation Partners is a joint-venture team formed to provide a strong private partner to the public sector. The GTP joint venture includes Bechtel Infrastructure Corporation and two Georgia-based contractors: Kiewit subsidiary Gilbert Southern Corp.; and C.W. Matthews Contracting Company, Inc.

The GTP team also includes Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.; Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan (PBS&J); and SYSTRA Consulting, as well as more than a dozen specialty, local and minority firms.

What are the major benefits of GTP’s proposal?

GTP’s proposal offers numerous benefits for residents and travelers along the Northwest Corridor.

The plan:

  • Offers traffic relief for all drivers on I-75 and I-575 through free-flowing express toll lanes.

  • Delivers the project five to seven years faster than current plans.

  • Provides additional transportation funding to stretch scarce State transportation dollars.

  • Speeds the implementation of a bus rapid transit system along the corridor, further reducing traffic congestion and thereby improving air quality.

  • Encourages quality growth initiatives by creating transit-oriented development opportunities at proposed bus rapid transit stations.

  • Offers improved safety through the option of truck-only lanes for large through-trucks in the corridor.

When can we expect to see traffic relief?

GTP’s plan will deliver congestion relief as quickly as possible for the Northwest Corridor. The project’s construction schedule will provide for early openings of beneficial sections of the new roadway.

How much time could a driver save by using the lanes?

During the peak morning and afternoon hours in 2015, drivers could save an estimated 14 to 22 minutes by using the express toll lanes. In 2030, motorists could save up to 29 to 38 minutes by using these toll lanes.

What are the benefits of bus rapid transit?

Bus rapid transit will take advantage of the free-flowing express toll lanes to move transit riders quickly through the corridor in a bus that resembles a “train on rubber tires.” As proposed, the bus rapid transit system also will provide an excellent opportunity for transit-oriented development, creating communities that are less dependent on cars. This will result in increased bus rapid transit ridership, reduced numbers of cars on the road and improved air quality.

How will this project affect truckers?

If the optional truck-only lanes are included in the plan, commercial trucks will use their own, barrier-separated, truck-only toll lanes along the Northwest Corridor. These lanes will be mandatory for all “through-trucks” with three or more axles. This option seeks to improve safety by separating heavy trucks from automobile traffic while providing truckers with faster and more reliable travel times through the region at all times of the day, thereby offsetting the toll costs.

Will there be construction delays?

Design of the new project will not interfere with any of the existing lanes on I-75 or I-575. Once construction begins, GTP expects to maintain traffic flow and follow GDOT guidelines for lane closures.

How will this project help boost the local economy?

A significant portion of the work will be subcontracted to specialty, local and minority firms. GTP plans to subcontract more than 30 percent of the work to local suppliers and subcontractors. Peak hiring will exceed 800 personnel, the majority of which will be local hires.

How will GTP pay for this project?

Georgia Transportation Partners proposes to finance the express toll lanes and the bus rapid transit system using a mix of federal funds, toll-backed revenue bonds and state sources.

Where else have congestion-priced toll lanes been used?

California and Texas were the first states to implement congestion-priced toll lanes. Many other states are considering this method to increase roadway capacity and provide consistent travel times.

Who will set the toll prices? How will tolls be collected?

Toll prices will be set by the state or its designated operator at a rate to ensure free flow in the new Express Toll Lanes. Tolls will be collected electronically at highway speeds, eliminating the need for toll booths.

Why the Northwest Corridor region?

The Northwest Corridor stretches from downtown Atlanta through Cobb County into Cherokee County and is home to more than 400,000 residents. This area connects major business, commercial, and employment centers. The Northwest Corridor is a rapidly-growing, major north-south truck route with 30 percent of traffic volume represented by trucks.

Why is now the best time to begin this project?

The metropolitan Atlanta area population is forecast to grow by over 2 million people in the next 20 years. With peak-hour traffic already at gridlock levels in major corridors, the need for improved transportation systems is imperative if the Metro Atlanta region is to maintain its competitive business edge in the Southeast and quality of life for its residents.

How much will this project cost?

GDOT and GRTA have estimated that improvements already planned for the corridor will cost between $1.2 and $1.6 billion. Georgia Transportation Partners’ proposal includes similar cost estimates, depending on options included in the final plan.

How will the GTP work to be sensitive to the environment and local communities?

Beginning early in the development phase as a part of GDOT’s environmental review process, GTP will provide public information about the project and talk with individual stakeholders about their concerns. GTP will actively explore design solutions that are acceptable to the communities affected. This approach will continue into the construction phase to avoid disruptions to businesses, residents, and the traveling public. GTP’s proposal does not change the normal GDOT-led process for road approvals and construction.

After the project is concluded, will the Northwest Corridor become privatized? Who will oversee toll collection, maintenance and repairs, etc.?

No, the lanes will not be private. While some functions may be provided by private contractors, the state will own the express toll lanes and collect the tolls.

What is the process for project selection and award?

The GTP proposal has been submitted under Georgia’s innovative Public-Private Initiatives legislation as passed by the Georgia state legislature in late 2003. The process for advertisement for competing proposals, selection and award is detailed on the Georgia Department of Transportation’s website at http://tomcat2.dot.state.ga.us/ppproposal/index.cfm.

Similar public-private partnership processes have been successfully implemented in other states (such as Virginia) to help finance and accelerate critical transportation infrastructure projects.