Corridor Alternatives Advanced                                                

The alternatives detailed here were advanced from an original eight alternatives developed to meet the project's Need and Purpose statement. A viable solution would address all aspects of the statement: better management and minimization of traffic congestion, maintenance and improvement of system linkages, improvements to mobility options for the traveling public, and provisions for safer travel conditions along the corridor.  The original eight alternatives were created from combinations of corridor strategies when analysis determined the strategies alone could not satisfy all aspects of the Need and Purpose statement.

Additional analysis of the four alternatives advanced is currently under development. The information below is also available as a downloadable fact sheet.

Alternative 1 Advanced

Alternative 1  (No Build)


What’s Included?

The No Build alternative does not include the addition of any improvements to the existing system of five general purpose lanes in each direction.  However, efforts for the general upkeep of the I-285 corridor (such as restoration of bridges and resurfacing of pavement), are included in the No Build alternative. 

 




Alternative 4

 

What’s Included?Alternative 4 Advanced

Express Bus Service: Express Bus service operates over long distances without stopping, which speeds up longer peak commuter trips. Buses operate in the general purpose lanes with stops only in the Cumberland and Perimeter areas.

 

Operational Improvements: These modifications improve travel flow and safety, and include:

 

Braided ramps: vertically separating off and on ramps (one ramp passes over the other).

 

Auxiliary lanes:  an extra lane that runs between interchanges and gives drivers more time to merge in or out.  The lane is created when an entrance ramp at one interchange meets the highway and drops out at the next interchange as an exit ramp (with an “Exit Only” sign).

 

Collector-distributor lanes: one-way lanes that run adjacent to the interstate and provide access to additional exits/off ramps that do not touch the interstate.

 

Reconstructing interchanges

 

Building new ramps

 

Removing some access points

 

Reconfiguring some local roadways

 

 

Alternative 6aAlternative 6a Advanced

 

What's Included?

Managed Lanes: Adds two lanes in both directions, located on either side of existing general purpose lanes, and are physically separated by a concrete median barrier. Congestion in the lanes is managed through Electronic Toll Collection technology.  Toll booths are not required. This technology works like the Cruise Card electronic transponders used on Georgia 400 today. Instead of paying a toll at a booth, the accounts of registered users will be read and/or debited every time they use a HOT lane. Pricing for the lanes will vary based on demand and drivers will see the price before entering the system. Access points include I-285, I-75, Akers Mill Road, SR 400 (to/from the north), Perimeter Center Parkway, Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard (to/from the north), and I-85 (to/from the north).

 

Express Bus Service: Express Bus service operates over long distances without stopping, which speeds up longer, peak commuter trips. Buses operate in the general purpose lanes with stops only in the Cumberland and Perimeter areas.

 

Fixed Guideway Transit Right of Way :  Acquisition of additional rights of way for potential future Bus Rapid Transit or Light Rail Transit .

 

Operational Improvements: These modifications improve travel flow and safety, and include:

 

Braided ramps: vertically separating off and on ramps (one ramp passes over the other).

 

Auxiliary lanes:  an extra lane that runs between interchanges and gives drivers more time to merge in or out.  The lane is created when an entrance ramp at one interchange meets the highway and drops out at the next interchange as an exit ramp (with an “Exit Only” sign).

 

Collector-distributor lanes: one-way lanes that run adjacent to the interstate and provide access to additional exits/off ramps that do not touch the interstate.

 

Reconstructing interchanges

 

Building new ramps

 

Removing some access points

 

Reconfiguring some local roadways

 

 

Alternative 6(b)Alternative 6(b) Advanced


What's Included?

Managed Lanes: Similar to alternative 6a, but adds the managed lanes in the center of the  existing general purpose lanes, separated by a painted buffer. Additionally, the general purpose lanes would be reduced to four lanes in both directions. Congestion in the lanes is managed through Electronic Toll Collection technology.  Toll booths are not required. This technology works like the Cruise Card electronic transponders used on Georgia 400 today. Instead of paying a toll at a booth, the accounts of registered users will be read and/or debited every time they use a HOT lane. Pricing for the lanes will vary based on demand and drivers will see the price before entering the system. Access points include I-285, I-75, Akers Mill Road, SR 400 (to/from the north), Perimeter Center Parkway, Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard (to/from the north), and I-85 (to/from the north).

 

Express Bus Service: Express Bus service operates over long distances without stopping, which speeds up longer peak commuter trips. Buses operate in the general purpose lanes with stops only in the Cumberland and Perimeter areas.

 

Fixed Guideway Transit Right of Way: Acquisition of additional rights of way for potential future  Bus Rapid Transit or Light Rail Transit.

 

Operational Improvements: These modifications improve travel flow and safety, and include:

 

Braided ramps: vertically separating off and on ramps (one ramp passes over the other).

 

Auxiliary lanes:  an extra lane that runs between interchanges and gives drivers more time to merge in or out.  The lane is created when an entrance ramp at one interchange meets the highway and drops out at the next interchange as an exit ramp (with an “Exit Only” sign).

 

Collector-distributor lanes: one-way lanes that run adjacent to the interstate and provide access to additional exits/off ramps that do not touch the interstate.

 

Reconstructing interchanges

 

Building new ramps

 

Removing some access points

 

Reconfiguring some local roadways