Comments were submitted regarding the funding and cost of…

The SR 400 Express Lanes project was made possible by the General Assembly’s passage of the Transportation Funding Act (TFA) of 2015 and funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), including a $184 million federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant. The INFRA grants program provides dedicated, discretionary funding for projects that address critical issues facing our nation’s highways and bridges. These funding sources are only available to be used on roads and bridges and cannot be used for transit facilities or access.

Additionally, the project at this time is anticipated to be delivered using a Public-Private Partnership contracting model, whereby GDOT solicits bids from private investors/equity partners/Developers for the project. The successful bidder partners with GDOT and secures financing for the design and construction of the project.

The state, under the direction of former Governor Nathan Deal, also allocated $100 million state bond funds to facilitate/not preclude and pave the way for future implementation of a bus rapid transit (BRT) system by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) to operate within the express lanes corridor. Much of these funds will be used to acquire the right-of-way needed to support the future BRT infrastructure. BRT stations along with rider/pedestrian circulations and accommodations would be designed and built in the future by MARTA. However, by coordination between GDOT and MARTA, there are inherent cost-saving benefits of avoiding future costs associated with building a BRT infrastructure after decisions on the SR 400 Express Lanes project are already made.

Why did you choose to build more highway lanes…

Transit expansion is a necessary part of an entire regional transportation system as are express lanes. Motorists need options for their trips based on how they travel. As Georgia creates a transportation system for the future, areas within the metro Atlanta region will experience growth differently.  The SR 400 Express Lanes and MARTA bus rapid transit (BRT) will provide motorists and transit users more reliable trips in areas where rail expansion has not yet occurred. The SR 400 Express Lanes project is being designed to accommodate MARTA’s future BRT stations and service. There is currently no programmed project or funding for heavy rail. More information about MARTA’s BRT service, visit their project website at: https://www.itsmarta.com/ga400-corridor-overview.aspx.

Requests were made to enhance transit service along the…

The State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) is presently conducting a study to identify service changes due to the addition of express lanes along the corridor.

Visit the SRTA website here https://www.srta.ga.gov

How will the toll revenue be spent?

Road construction is mainly funded through state gas tax collection and federal support; however, both the gas tax and federal funding are not sufficient for the state’s needs for road maintenance, operation, and construction. Express lanes are a reliable source of funding that allows Georgia to invest in today’s road construction. Funding from express lanes that comes from Georgia must remain in Georgia.

Primary use of tolling revenues is to fund, maintain, and operate the tolling facility and support payment of loans or bonds for capital cost of constructing the facility.  Excess revenue from tolls must be spent in compliance with federal laws dictating their use. While not anticipated to materialize, excess toll revenues would be used for any lawful purpose.  Operation of the pricing aspects of the lanes, including all customer service functions related to the Peach Pass system is managed by the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) and not a private entity.

 

Commenters expressed concerns that the lanes would only benefit…

Express lanes users only pay if they choose to travel on the express lanes. Motorists will continue to have the option to use the existing general purpose lanes, as a toll-free option. Rates on the express lanes will be dynamic which aids in managing the number of motorists that use the lanes while still meeting expectations for free-flowing travel to ensure reliable trip times.

In addition, transit vehicles traveling the express lanes will experience a more reliable trip, improving the overall transit experience for the numerous riders who choose transit as a mobility option. The express lanes support the existing general purpose lanes by providing travel choices in mobility to make a behavioral decision based on the need of a reliable trip time.

Commenters requested information regarding why the new lanes are…

There is no single budget from which all types of projects are funded, and budgets are typically allocated for specific needs by the state legislature. Accordingly, funds used by GDOT for Georgia Express Lanes do not come from a budget that would be otherwise earmarked for transit. However, GDOT supports transit and works with transit agencies throughout the region to improve transit options. The Georgia Express Lanes system is an investment that enhances transit options and opportunities in the corridor. Dedicated express lanes offer more reliable trip times to transit riders at no additional cost and greater predictability for transit operators. Improved service along these corridors makes transit a more attractive alternative, which can help reduce the number of vehicles on those routes. GDOT, via the Georgia Express Lanes network, is providing greater reliability, expanding growth opportunities, and enhancing connectivity for the region’s transit systems. Regional transit providers are expanding park-and-rides in express lanes corridors and considering additional service in order to accommodate the ridership demand.

As a dynamically priced system, the Georgia Express Lanes are offered as a choice that complements the general purpose lanes along the interstates in some of the most congested corridors around metro Atlanta. These lanes provide a choice for drivers to bypass congestion when desired, offer a clear path for transit operators, and add an alternative to the general purpose lanes that exist today. The result will be a network of express lanes that provide more reliable and predictable trip times. All Georgia Express Lanes rely on a dynamically-priced toll in order to provide reliable travel times especially during peak congestion.

Studies show that express lanes have a much more reliable travel speed than carpool lanes and provide more consistent performance over time.

Rates on any express lane are based on a dynamic pricing format, which increases the price during peak travel times and decreases the price during off-peak times. Dynamic pricing facilitates reliable trip times for those utilizing the express lanes including those in transit vehicles. Dynamic pricing allows as many motorists as possible to use the lanes while still meeting expectations for free-flowing traffic.

 

State-registered transit vehicles, vanpools, and emergency management services (EMS) are the only vehicles that can ride toll-exempt on the express lanes. State-registered alternative fuel vehicles, motorcycles, and all carpools must pay the toll on the SR 400 Express Lanes.

Commenters requested clarification of potential traffic impacts of existing…

The proposed McGinnis Ferry Road Interchange and general purpose access point as well as the Transform 285/400 Interchange project are scheduled to be opened to traffic by the end of 2020. Construction for the SR 400 Express Lanes project will begin in 2023 and is projected to last until 2027. If there are changes to project schedules, the public will be notified.

Comments were submitted expressing traffic and safety concerns on…

As part of this project, GDOT is conducting traffic analysis studies and will be comparing the No-Build and Build conditions for local roads at proposed access points.

We received comments stating that current traffic levels along…

Previous analysis concluded that all segments of SR 400 between I-285 and Holcomb Bridge Road operated at Level of Service (LOS) E or LOS F in the peak-period/peak-direction in 2010. Level of Service is a measure of traffic congestion ranging from A (free flow) to F (forced or breakdown flow). The 2012 feasibility study showed that this trend continues, with traffic forecasts predicting that all segments of SR 400 within the project limits described above would operate at LOS E or LOS F in the peak-period/peak-direction in 2040. Additionally, the analysis showed that under 2010 conditions, traversing the project limits in the peak-period/peak-direction requires 25 to 35 minutes of additional travel time as compared to traversing the project limits at posted speeds. Similarly, in 2040, the gap between posted speed travel time and actual peak-period/peak-direction travel time grows to range from 55 to 90 minutes.

Based on these existing conditions a need was identified to improve mobility along the corridor.

Commenters highlighted the need for continued coordination between GDOT…

After initiating project coordination with Fulton County Schools in 2018, Fulton County Schools invited GDOT to present information to Sandy Springs parents on GDOT’s Major Mobility Investment Program and the SR 400 Express Lanes project. During the presentations, information was shared including: an overview of the Georgia Express Lanes network, an overview of the stakeholder coordination done to date, a proposed project schedule, and a high-level, proposed project concept including typical sections. Although the project was early in concept development and data gathering, GDOT wanted to share the overall project vision and need and purpose. Opportunities for public comments were highlighted, including the Public Information Open Houses which were held in February and March 2019. A copy of the full presentation and handouts may be viewed here. Fulton County Schools collected comments at these meetings which were subsequently shared with GDOT. GDOT submitted responses to Fulton County Schools on February 27, 2019. These responses are posted and can be reviewed on Fulton County Schools’ website. In addition, at the Public Information Open Houses, GDOT specifically made potential school impact information available to all attendees. All PIOH materials may be viewed on the SR 400 Express Lanes’ project website; http://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/GEL/SR400.