Want to Know More About Proposed I-85 Toll Lane Extension? Watch This Video

The computer animated video explains how toll lanes from Old Peachtree Road to Hamilton Mill Road would operate.

If you missed last month's public hearings regarding the extension of the I-85 toll lanes northward, you can now learn more about the project courtesy of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The GDOT recently posted a short computer animated video depicting how the new toll lanes will operate (see above).  The GDOT has proposed extending the toll lanes from Old Peachtree Road near Suwanee to Hamilton Mill Road, in the Dacula/Buford area. As part of the project, an additional lane would be constructed to avoid losing capacity in the free lanes. According to GDOT, the new toll lanes would provide reliable travel times, improved commute alternatives and expanded commuting choices (see pdf). In the presentation, GDOT explains …

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Public Hearings Set to Discuss Widening I-85, Extending HOT Lanes Northward

The Georgia Department of Transportation plans to hold two public hearings in March.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has scheduled two public hearings in March to discuss extending the I-85 HOT lanes another 10 miles northward. The first hearing will be held March 21 at 4 p.m. at the Gwinnett Center Atrium located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. The second hearing will take place March 28 at 4 p.m. in Braselton. The meeting will be held in the community room of the Braselton Municipal building located at 4982 Highway 53, Braselton. The GDOT wants to extend the toll lanes from Old Peachtree Road near Suwanee to Hamilton Mill Road, in the Dacula and Buford areas or possibly Chateau Elan near Braselton. As part of the project, an additional lane would be constructed to avoid losing capacity in the free lanes. …

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Toll Lanes Could Be Extended to Hamilton Mill, Chateau Elan

The High Occupancy Toll or HOT lanes currently end at Old Peachtree Road.

The I-85 toll lanes may eventually be extended past the Mall of Georgia in Buford all the way to Hamilton Road or even Chateau Elan, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The AJC reports state transportation leaders are in favor of extending the toll lanes in Gwinnett County. Construction could begin in 2017 if approved. As part of the project, an additional lane would be constructed to avoid losing capacity in the free lanes, WSBradio.com reported. Would you like to see the toll lanes extended to Hamilton Mill or Chateau Elan? What do you think about the toll lane project in general? Let us know in the comments. You might also be interested in reading:

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Question of the Day

HOT Lanes: Traffic Management or Government Extortion?

What is the true purpose of the I-85 toll lanes?

In his most recent blog post, Citizens for a Better Gwinnett board member Jim Regan writes: In 2005, the SRTA conducted eight focus groups to evaluate support for the HOT conversion, during these meetings participants indicated they were only willing to pay a toll ranging from 50 cents to $2. Since focus groups in 2005, before the economy collapsed, indicated they only supported a 50 cent to $2 toll why was the maximum toll close to $6 when the lane opened? Nationally there are six other cities with HOT lanes, in five cities HOT+2 commuters pay no toll. The other location requires an annual “pass” that does not consider the number of passengers or frequency of use. Why did the GaDOT and SRTA choose to pursue a HOT+3 lane rather than a HOT+…

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Deal Lowers Toll Lane Rate

Governor also seeking change to three-passenger requirement for fee waiver.

Gov. Nathan Deal announced today that he is lowering the I-85 toll lane rates effective immediately. “Looking at what we’ve learned from our first four work days with the HOT lanes, I’ve asked SRTA to improve utilization of the express lanes,” Deal said in a released statement. “In the short term, the toll rate will lower -- starting with Thursday afternoon’s commute -- but the effective rate will continue to change to regulate speed and volume.” Deal added that the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) and the Georgia Department of Transportation are working together to improve the access and exit points on I-85 southbound. “Lastly, I-85 has long required two passengers for the express lanes. Federal regulations in effect with the HOT …

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Cynthia Montgomery

9:03 am on Saturday, October 8, 2011

ALice you hit it right on the head, "NO POLITICIAN HAS THE GUTS." They get elected with our mindset and once they are there awhile they become blind to the wants of the public they serve. In this economy, every politician should say no new taxes until we are all back to work. So simple and yet so hard for them to understand.   more ›

Do You Plan to Use the I-85 Toll Lanes?

Effective Oct. 1, any vehicle that isn't eco-friendly or carrying three or more people will be charged per mile for use of the express lanes. Will you be paying for that privilege? Take our poll.

Two person carpools have one last free, relatively comfortable, work-week commute on I-85. Beginning Oct. 1, that’s a luxury that carries a price tag. According to officials, the new express lanes will improve the traffic flow on I-85. However, according to a report in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, traffic woes for the regular Joe not looking to dig into his wallet could, in fact, get worse. The AJC cites a study by the state that found traffic in regular lanes is likely to get worse as a result of the project, the purpose of which was to improve traffic flow for those who car pool, ride vehicles less likely to impact the environment or alternatively are prepared to pay. The state’s study reportedly found regular lanes are expected to …

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Toll Lanes Set to Open Oct. 1

Do you have your Peach Pass yet? Get it online or at offices in Norcross and Lawrenceville.

The free ride in the HOV lane is coming to an end for most interstate travelers. The I-85 Express Lanes are set to begin official operations Oct. 1. This is, however, contingent on weather conditions and successful testing of the equipment, according to officials from the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA). “The opening of the I-85 Express Lanes will represent a new era in transportation innovation,” said Dr. Gena L. Evans, executive director of SRTA. “This all-electronic commuting choice gives registered Peach Pass customers access to a more reliable travel option in the I-85 corridor. The Express Lanes concept has been proven successful in eight other cities, and we are excited about its ability to positively impact I-85 traffic and…

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Toll Lane Equipment Testing Underway

No lane closures planned.

Testing of toll lane equipment continues this week as part of the conversion of the existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-85 to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. The State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) will conduct nightly tests until testing is complete. Toll lane signs may display “TEST A” or “TEST B” or a combination of letters, symbols and/or numbers throughout the testing period. As part of the testing, simulated toll rates will be displayed on the green and white toll signs between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. The toll lanes are not officially open at this time and no tolls will be charged during the testing period. During this time, motorists will see the following message displayed on signs along the interstate: “…

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Quadruple Lane Closures Possible This Week

Work continues to convert HOV lanes to toll lanes.

As part of the conversion of the existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-85 to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, the Georgia Department of Transportation is planning triple and quadruple lane closures and traffic pacing during the overnight hours this week as they install and test the conduit, cabling, antennas, cameras and other equipment that will operate the tolling network for the State Road and Tollway Authority. During the overnight hours, southbound closures will begin at 8 p.m. and continue to 5 a.m. Northbound lane closures will begin at 10 p.m. and continue to 5 a.m. the next day. Up to four lanes may be closed after midnight. Traffic will be paced from one to three times as needed for the installation of equipment for …

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Pacing, Triple Lane Closures Planned for I-85

Work continues to convert HOV lanes to toll lanes.

As part of the conversion of the existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-85 to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, the Georgia Department of Transportation is planning multiple lane closures and traffic pacing during the overnight hours this week as they install and test the conduit, cabling, antennas, cameras and other equipment that will operate the tolling network for the State Road and Tollway Authority. During the overnight hours, southbound closures will begin at 8 p.m. and continue to 5 a.m. Northbound lane closures will begin at 10 p.m. and continue to 5 a.m. the next day. Up to three lanes may be closed after midnight. Traffic will be paced from one to three times as needed for the installation of equipment for the toll …

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