The Georgia Department of Transportation is continuing work on an expansion of I-285, claiming the new express lanes could cut travel times by as much as 39 percent.
On Labor Day, Georgia’s Cobb County unexpectedly expressed support for a plan by the state Department of Transportation to expand Interstate 285 by adding toll lanes from South Atlanta Road to Henderson Road. As Josh Green explains in Urbanize Atlanta, “The project would cross three counties (Cobb, Fulton, and DeKalb) and the jurisdictions of several cities (Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, and Tucker).”
The article notes that “Another intent of the express lanes project, as GDOT has stressed from inception, is to provide mobility choices (and more reliable trip times) for metro Atlantans.” But the proposal, first revealed in 2019, does not add any new rail lines. Instead, “public transit providers that already operate buses and other vehicles in the corridor—MARTA, Xpress, and ‘state-registered vanpools’—will be able to use the new lanes for free, with no additional costs to riders, according to GDOT.” Pricing on the toll lanes will adjust in real time based on traffic conditions. GDOT estimates the toll lanes will be completed in 2032.
FULL STORY: Cobb County expresses support for huge system of elevated highways
Georgia's $11 Billion Road-Building Program Evolves
Recently announced changes to a massive road-building program in Georgia will shift moves projects aimed at improvements for the trucking industry earlier onto the calendar, while pushing back projects located closer to Atlanta.
Georgia DOT Takes $4.6 Billion Highway Expansion Plan on the Road
The Georgia Department of Transportation held a series of public meetings this month to reveal details of a plan to add toll lanes to I-285 and Georgia 400 outside Atlanta.
Positive Early Returns for Atlanta's Northwest Corridor Express Lanes
About 30 miles of toll lanes (called Express Lanes in the parlance of toll lane politics) on I-75 and I-575 in Cobb and Cherokee counties have been open for month.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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