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Project Vital Signs Issue 6 (May 2011)
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What is Project Vital Signs?
Atlanta is plagued with heavy traffic, and one of the most congested areas lies between I-75 and I-85 on the top end of I-285. In 2006, GDOT and GRTA launched the revive285 top end project to develop solutions to the traffic challenges on this vital corridor. Project Vital Signs follows and reports on the project as it progresses.
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Overview
Since the last issue, the project team has moved forward with preparation of the documents necessary for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) submission. NEPA review and approval are required before actual construction can be planned. Currently under way are the environmental analysis and evaluation of the four alternatives recommended to move forward by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA). The alternatives are being refined according to the findings of the environmental evaluation to avoid and minimize potential impacts. Project costs are being updated as well. Community open houses were held along the project corridor in early 2011, and a summary of comments is provided in this PVS issue.
It is anticipated that public hearing open houses will be held in mid 2012, after completion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
Alternatives Under Consideration:
Alt. 1 – No Build (this option is required by NEPA)
Alt. 4 – Express Bus and Operational Improvements
Alt. 6A – Managed Lanes (New), Express Bus, Fixed Guideway Transit Right-of-Way, and Operational Improvements
Alt. 6B – Managed Lanes, Express Bus, Fixed Guideway Transit Right-of-Way, and Operational Improvements
More detail on these alternatives is available via fact sheets, development documents, a short video, and an interactive mapping tool. Access these resources in our Project Library.
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 New Project Website Launches
In response to citizen feedback and a desire to clarify and expand access to revive285 top end project information, the project team has redesigned the project website. The site was developed based on citizen comments and review during development. It was launched in March 2011. We hope you find the site easier to use, interact with, navigate, and learn about the project. Some of the new features include:
- Ability to comment from any page
- Inclusion of a Neighborhood FAQ
- Inclusion of related documents and links to each phase of the project
- A better organized and easier to use Project Library
- A more logical phase-related approach to project progress and information
- Easier to review Survey Results, Citizen Input Summaries, and more
Consider taking a moment to review the new site and share your thoughts with us.
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Updated Alternative Evaluation Criteria
Alternatives are evaluated based on costs, impacts, and ability to satisfy the project Need and Purpose. The following is a summary of the currently available updates to the evaluation criteria for the alternatives moving forward.
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Total Capital Costs for the Build Alternatives
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| Scenario |
Total Capital Costs (in 2009 Dollars)
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| Alt. 4 |
$1.1 Billion |
| Alt. 6A |
$2.84 Billion |
| Alt. 6B |
$2.56 Billion |
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Person Throughput Along I-285
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| Scenario |
Person Throughput (Per Day) Year 2040 |
%Change Over No-Build |
| No-Build |
432,000 |
-- |
| Alt. 4 |
463,000 |
+7% |
| Alt. 6A |
565,000 |
+31% |
| Alt. 6B |
529,000 |
+22% |
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General Purpose Lanes
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Travel Time Savings
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| Scenario |
2040 P.M. Travel Times from
I-75 to I-85 Along I-285 Top End
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| Managed Lanes |
| Existing |
25 minutes |
-- |
| No-Build |
26 minutes |
-- |
| Alt. 4 |
17 minutes |
-- |
| Alt. 6A |
15 minutes |
13 minutes |
| Alt. 6B |
25 minutes |
13 minutes |
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The managed lanes in Alternatives 6A and 6B provide more throughput than just operational improvements (Alternative 4). Alternative 6A, which includes one more general-purpose lane than Alternative 6B, offers the most throughput.
Travel time is a very clear indicator of network performance. Analysis shows that in the year 2040 p.m. peak hour, Alternatives 4, 6A, and 6B would reduce travel time in the general-purpose lanes by 9 minutes, 11 minutes, and 1 minute, respectively, compared to the no-build alternative.
Alternatives 6A and 6B also include managed lanes. Managed lanes generally reduce travel time not only for those traveling in the managed lanes, but also for those traveling in the general-purpose lanes. For travelers in the eastbound managed lanes, both Alternatives 6A and 6B would reduce p.m. peak hour travel times by 13 minutes.
Did You Know?
The original eight alternatives were evaluated with similar criteria in 2009. You can access this document in the Project Library.
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Community Open Houses Are a Success
In January and February 2011, the project team held a series of multilingual open houses to provide attendees with detailed information about the alternatives and collect their thoughts and opinions on traveling in the top end corridor of I-285, tolling, and potential impacts to residences and businesses. The open houses were held in six locations and materials were available in six languages. In all, 300 attendees spoke to project staff, received project handouts, and submitted 141 comment forms.
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Summary of Comments Received at the Community Open Houses
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Location
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Travel Conditions/Behavior
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Needed Improvements
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Tolling
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Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multi-Purpose Complex
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100% stated they are somewhat or very dissatisfied with current travel conditions.
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100% agree improvements are needed; 80% stated transit is needed; 20% stated new lanes are needed.
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100% would be willing to pay a toll.
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Salvation Army Doraville Corps Community Center
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Nearly 80% stated they are somewhat or very dissatisfied with current travel conditions.
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100% agree improvements are needed; 80% stated new lanes are needed.
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37% would be willing to pay a toll.
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Smyrna Community Center
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75% stated they are somewhat or very dissatisfied with current travel conditions.
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75% agree improvements are needed; more lanes, transit, operational improvements, and added safety are all high priorities.
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50% would be willing to pay a toll.
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Holy Spirit Catholic Center
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53% somewhat or very dissatisfied.
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90% agree improvements are needed; 72% named new lanes and 29% named added safety as high priorities.
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78% would be willing to pay a toll.
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Las Colinas Apartments (Clubhouse)
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Center for Pan Asian Community Services
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53% somewhat or very dissatisfied.
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81% agree improvements are needed; 56% named new lanes and 26% named transit as high priorities.
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29% would be willing to pay a toll.
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Revive285 Twitter and Facebook Celebrate Popularity
Everyone is talking about revive285 Twitter and Facebook! That is, we have reached 500+ Twitter followers and 200+ likes on Facebook. Come join us for conversation and quick bites of information on the project, corridor traffic updates, Q&A, project terms, and more.
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Upcoming Projects Along the Top End of I-285
Many projects are under way along the I-285 top end. We will keep you updated on the projects, lane/street closures, and events related to transportation on the top end. Join us on Twitter and Facebook for immediate updates or online in Planned/Current I-285 Projects. Current projects include:
Repaving of I-285 Top End
This summer, GDOT plans to resurface sections of I-285. The first section to be resurfaced along the top end will be the eastern section from Ashford Dunwoody Road to Chamblee Tucker Road. The project will include 6.43 miles of resurfacing, including all ramps and shoulders. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring. Resurfacing of the western portion of the top end from North Paces Ferry Road to Ashford Dunwoody Road is scheduled for early 2012.
Ashford Dunwoody Road Diverging Diamond
The Ashford Dunwoody Road diverging diamond is a capacity and safety improvement project intended to help alleviate congestion along Ashford Dunwoody Road around the I-285 interchange without replacing or widening the existing bridge. The project converts the existing partial cloverleaf interchange into a diverging diamond interchange. This innovative design will improve traffic flow at the interchange. This project is scheduled to be let for construction in July of 2011.
Roswell Road Bridge
This project is intended to serve as a short- to medium-term improvement to address safety concerns at the interchange. The project will include the construction of additional width on the northbound side of the existing bridge to allow for two northbound and southbound travel lanes as well as full dedicated left-turn lanes onto the entrance ramps for I-285.
Additional width on both the eastbound and westbound on-ramps to I-285 will accommodate dual ramp meters and provide additional storage capacity. Short sections of a raised concrete median will also be constructed in the vicinity of the bridge to improve operational circulation. This project was let for construction in April 2011.
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How Can You Get Involved?
Public hearing open houses, anticipated for late 2012, will offer the public a formal opportunity to review and provide input on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the alternatives advanced. In the meantime, as new information on the evaluation of the alternatives becomes available, it will be shared with the public through the project website, Twitter, Facebook, and email. The public is encouraged to stay engaged with the project by:
You can also contact us directly with questions and comments at info@revive285.com or 770.431.7445.
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