If the purpose of the Georgia Department of Transportation's open house March 13 was float the idea of toll lanes on Ga. 400, it went over like a lead balloon.
The public hearing, and two like it in Forsyth County and Sandy Springs, are part of GDOT's Ga. 400 Express Lanes Feasibility study.
Residents who attended the GDOT meeting at the Cottage School listened to a 10-minute video on why High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes similar to the electronically billed tolls on I-85 in Gwinnett County were the most viable option to relieve congestion on Ga. 400 along 24 miles from I-285 north to Ga. 20 in Forsyth County.
HOT lanes, the video stated, offered drivers an alternative in exchange for a "reliable trip," rather than being held up in traffic – as long as the driver is willing to pay.
As in Gwinnett's HOT lanes, the toll continues to rise until the congestion in that lane abates. Of course, what it does to the congestion in the "free" lanes goes unmentioned.
According to the GDOT spokespeople at the meeting, there is no money to add capacity to Ga. 400 and on the GDOT priority list, Ga. 400 trails projects for I-75 in Henry County, as well as I-75 and I-575 projects in Cobb and Cherokee counties.
In other words, there does not seem to be much hope of getting any relief for Ga. 400 in the foreseeable future. But don't expect any help if the toll lanes are installed. GDOT says tolls alone are not enough to fund any new construction projects for the corridor. Tolls would only go to maintenance of the corridor.
A public comment board at the meeting did not reflect any support of toll lanes. Comments, often sarcastic, pointed out Ga. 400 already bears a toll.
GDOT spokespeople said the there simply is not enough money in its budget to get the projects already on the board done. GDOT's funding sources, $900 million from the state motor fuel tax and about $1 billion in federal transportation funding, are not enough for new construction.
Billy Wise of Duluth said he was opposed to more tolls on roads.
"I'm concerned that we are not spending tax dollars effectively," Wise said.
Jack Wyche of Alpharetta said the tolls on Ga. 400 that are collected now should be enough. He said he did not want to see toll lanes as well.
GDOT District Engineer Bryant Poole said State Transportation Board policy now is any new capacity for roads will have a toll component.
"Adding capacity will mean managed lanes [tolls]," Poole said.
But any additional lanes for Ga. 400 would not be programmed sooner than 2040. Meanwhile, Poole said he can understand the public reaction to more tolls.
"But we want to get the public's ideas. This is our normal procedure, to get their input," he said.
Labels: 400 Tolls, Ga 400, Ga 400 new exit, GA 400 Tolls
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 9:47 AM
