Brian Vanderhoff's North Fulton Real Estate Blog

By Mike Morris
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This weekend marks the beginning of the end for the Georgia 400 toll booths, as road crews start the year-long process to dismantle the toll plaza.
Two northbound lanes will be blocked between Lenox Road and Glenridge Drive from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday, and again during the same hours Saturday night as crews prepare to change the road striping to route motorists around the toll booths when the tolls disappear late next month.
Workers will reroute the highway’s three lanes through the Cruise Card lanes and lower the speed limit through the area to 45 mph for the demolition of the toll booths.
The actual demolition of the toll booths will take place next year. The $3.5 million project is expected to take about a year to complete.

Labels: Ga 400, GA 400 Tolls, Georgia 400, Toll booth removal, Toll removal

In a few months you may be able to throw away that quarter jar to save change for the Ga. 400 tolls.

According to the State Road and Tollway Authority, the Ga. 400 bonds will be retired and the toll booths will disappear figuratively if not literally the fourth weekend of November.

Gov. Nathan Deal scored a popularity point when he announced last year the Ga. 400 toll would end in December 2013. His predecessor, Gov. Sonny Perdue reneged on the decades-old pledge to retire the toll on Ga. 400 when its construction bonds were paid off in 2011.

Perdue ordered new bonds purchased for Ga. 400-related projects and the 50-cent (for two-axle vehicles) continued on. Deal rescinded those plans and ordered the bonds repaid early. Now it seems Nov. 21 and no later than Nov. 23 will be toll-free.

The date was announced to avoid having the change Thanksgiving weekend. Demolition of the toll plaza won't occur until after the first of the year, SRTA announced. That is slated to cost $4.5 million.

The three left lanes will be open to Ga. 400 traffic north and south. Cones will direct traffic away from the toll plaza until its demolition.

Labels: Ga 400, GA 400 Tolls, Toll Plaza

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

Interchange justification report for McGinnis Ferry exit moves project forward

Some of the traffic in south Forsyth County may soon be alleviated with a new south and northbound on and off ramp at McGinnis Ferry Road and Ga. 400.

The new Ga. 400 interchange would create new exits between the existing Windward Parkway exit 11 and McFarland Parkway exit 12, said John Cunard, Forsyth County engineering director. The new interchange would be created between Windward and Union Hill Road bridges.

At the Dec. 6 work session, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved $62,500 funding for an interchange justification report — the Georgia Department of Transportation's share is $250,000 — to go toward the project's design.

A consultant from Moreland Altobelli Associates has been chosen to complete the reports that will include: a need and purpose statement; environmental impact studies; traffic volumes; and alternative designs and cost estimates.

The interchange justification report could take about six months to complete. GDOT funding could then be available for the construction a year later.

"This is the next step in the process to get it approved as a project," Cunard said. "GDOT has already approved the feasibility study and now they've authorized the county to administer the contract for the interchange justification report."

Once this scope of work is complete and approved by GDOT and the Federal Highway Administration, then the project can move forward and the interchange can be designed.

In October, commissioners reviewed plans and approved the project framework agreement with GDOT for the new ramp project that would impact motorists in the Alpharetta and Forsyth County jurisdiction.

The North Fulton Community Improvement District has contributed $125,000 toward the feasibility study, Cunard said.

The amount of county contribution to the entire project has not been determined. The interchange project is estimated about $30 million.

"Any new interchange would help ease congestions in county roads in the area," Cunard said. "That's why we're jumping through all these hoops to get it identified as a project, so it can be designed and built."

Labels: Alpharetta, Ga 400, Ga 400 new exit

The North Fulton Community Improvement District (CID) has approved more than $800,000 in improvements at two Ga. 400 interchanges – Old Milton Parkway and Mansell Road.

Ann Hanlon, North Fulton CID Chief operating officer, said these are last two projects in the CID's first tier.

"So we are making progress," she said.

At Mansell Road and Ga. 400, the CID is providing traffic relief for northbound cars exiting the expressway.

"It is a question of cars stacking at the bottom of the exit because so many want to get into the left lanes on Mansell to go up North Point Parkway," Hanlon said. "We are giving them a third left-turn lane at Mansell and North Point."

The construction of a triple-left-turn lane at the intersection of Mansell Road and North Point Parkway will replace the existing double-left-turn lane on Mansell Road east-bound, reducing traffic bottlenecks that affect Ga. 400 daily.

What is even sweeter is the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) is funding the nearly $350,000 construction cost. Butch Thompson Enterprises of Kennesaw, Ga., will break ground on the project this fall.

"The one thing we have promised our North Point Mall members is that the job will be done by Thanksgiving. It will not interfere with the holiday shopping," Hanlon said.

At Old Milton Parkway, the CID is upgrading the entrance at Ga. 400 to upgrade it as it is one of the four gateways to the community off Ga. 400.

The CID selected Russell Landscape Group to install more than $400,000 in trees, shrubs and other landscaping improvements 400 Old Milton. The landscaping will match previous CID projects completed throughout the commercial district.

"Response to the CID's new landscaping projects at Windward Parkway, Haynes Bridge and Mansell Road has been very positive," said North Fulton CID Ann Hanlon. "These interchanges are a greeting card to anyone coming into the District. Once Old Milton Parkway is complete, all four interchanges will create gateway entrances to this vibrant commercial area."

Both projects are part the CID's Blueprint North Fulton master plan. Blueprint North Fulton creates a cohesive vision to guide transportation and development initiatives throughout the commercial areas that make the up the CID in Alpharetta, Milton and Roswell.

The North Fulton CID is made up of commercial properties stretching along Ga. 400 from Mansell Road north to McFarland Road. These business leaders are committed to maintaining and enhancing North Fulton by accelerating infrastructure and quality of life projects.

For more information on the North Fulton CID, contact Ann Hanlon at (678) 397-0566, or visit www.NorthFultonCID.com.

Labels: Alpharetta, Community Improvement District, Ga 400, mansell road, North Point Mall

Georgia Department of Transportation crews will close single lanes of Ga. 400 under the Peachtree Parkway overpass in Cumming next week to complete work on the bridge's concrete overhang.

Closures will occur one lane at a time from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Work will begin on Ga. 400 northbound, then switch to the southbound lanes.

Labels: Ga 400, Road Closure, Road Closures

The Georgia Department of Transportation will sequentially activate 2 additional meters on SR 400 entrance ramps at Old Milton Parkway. The first meter will be turned on Thursday morning, March 19. The second will be activated during evening rush hour Thursday, March 19.

Ramp meters are turned on just before heavy rush hour traffic begins, and stay on until traffic begins to subside at the end of the peak period. They resemble standard traffic lights, and are installed approximately two-thirds of the way down the entrance ramps. Every 3-5 seconds the meter cycles from red to green, allowing one vehicle at a time to merge onto the freeway. On two-lane ramps, the left and right lanes have alternating green lights, so the left lane goes while the right is stopped, and vice versa.

“Although motorists will spend a little extra time on the ramp, they should see a decrease in overall travel time,” Georgia DOT Operations Director Steve Henry said. “We’ll monitor these new ramp meters very carefully. If traffic starts to back up on the ramp, sensors will speed up the meters to allow more vehicles to move through. If our cameras show traffic spilling out onto the surface streets, we can turn them off completely.”

One hundred-forty ramp meters currently operate in metro Atlanta:

24 on I-75 between Midtown and Chastain Road
8 on I-75 (south side)
15 on I-75/85 (Downtown Connector)
14 on I-285 (north side)
9 on I-285 (northwest)
8 on I-285 (southwest)
11 on I-285 (east side)
11 on I-85 (northeast)
8 on I-575
27 on I-20 inside I-285
5 on GA 400 north of I-285
They have collectively reduced average rush-hour commute times in these corridors by significant margins. Georgia DOT engineers have been measuring the before and after conditions on the freeways where ramp meters have been activated. These early studies show between 14 and 39 percent faster trip time averages. Other benefits include reductions in merging accidents and vehicle emissions. The Department will release a complete ramp meter study later this year.

“There will be a short learning curve period in the first few days as the public adjusts,” Georgia DOT Atlanta Regional Media Coordinator Mark McKinnon said. “We realize that we may need to tweak specific meters. Please bear with us, and keep in mind that there is no one ‘silver bullet’ solution to eliminate congestion. Ramp meters are just one of several tools that can help fight it.”

Ramp meters have been used for over 20 years in more than 20 cities across the country. They are placed on entrance ramps to help control the flow of traffic from the surface streets onto the freeway. Without metering, vehicles push their way all at once onto the interstate in a disorderly and potentially dangerous manner. Once these vehicles reach the merge point, they force their way into the travel lanes, causing additional congestion due to stop-and-go merging activity on the freeway. When this happens on already traffic-heavy freeways, there is a total breakdown of free-flow near the on-ramps, which has a ripple effect on traffic for many miles. Even with no stalls or accidents, heavy on-ramp traffic causes congestion that both extends and continues throughout the rush-hour.

The new ramps that will be operational Thursday, March 19 are:

Thursday morning: Old Milton Parkway to GA 400 southbound
Thursday afternoon: Old Milton Parkway to GA 400 northbound
The Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this or any other construction project on interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our Web site (www.dot.ga.gov).

Labels: Ga 400, georgia department of transportation, old milton parkway, ramp meters

The Georgia Department of Transportation will sequentially activate 3 meters on SR 400 entrance ramps at McFarland Parkway and Windward Parkway. The first meter will be turned on this afternoon, Tuesday, March 3. The remaining two will be activated during morning rush hour Wednesday, March 4. Two additional meters at Old Milton Parkway ramps will be activated at a later date (to be determined).

Ramp meters are turned on just before heavy rush hour traffic begins, and stay on until traffic begins to subside at the end of the peak period. They resemble standard traffic lights, and are installed approximately two-thirds of the way down the entrance ramps. Every 3-5 seconds the meter cycles from red to green, allowing one vehicle at a time to merge onto the freeway. On two-lane ramps, the left and right lanes have alternating green lights, so the left lane goes while the right is stopped, and vice versa.

“Although motorists will spend a little extra time on the ramp, they should see a decrease in overall travel time,” Georgia DOT Operations Director Steve Henry said. “We’ll monitor these new ramp meters very carefully. If traffic starts to back up on the ramp, sensors will speed up the meters to allow more vehicles to move through. If our cameras show traffic spilling out onto the surface streets, we can turn them off completely.”

One hundred-thirty-five ramp meters currently operate in metro Atlanta:
• 24 on I-75 between Midtown and Chastain Road
• 8 on I-75 (south side)
• 15 on I-75/85 (Downtown Connector)
• 14 on I-285 (north side)
• 9 on I-285 (northwest)
• 8 on I-285 (southwest)
• 11 on I-285 (east side)
• 11 on I-85 (northeast)
• 8 on I-575
• 27 on I-20 inside I-285

They have collectively reduced average rush-hour commute times in these corridors by significant margins. Georgia DOT engineers have been measuring the before and after conditions on the freeways where ramp meters have been activated. These early studies show between 14 and 39 percent faster trip time averages. Other benefits include reductions in merging accidents and vehicle emissions. The Department will release a complete ramp meter study later this year.

“There will be a short learning curve period in the first few days as the public adjusts,” Georgia DOT Atlanta Regional Media Coordinator Mark McKinnon said. “We realize that we may need to tweak specific meters. Please bear with us, and keep in mind that there is no one ‘silver bullet’ solution to eliminate congestion. Ramp meters are just one of several tools that can help fight it.”

Ramp meters have been used for over 20 years in more than 20 cities across the country. They are placed on entrance ramps to help control the flow of traffic from the surface streets onto the freeway. Without metering, vehicles push their way all at once onto the interstate in a disorderly and potentially dangerous manner. Once these vehicles reach the merge point, they force their way into the travel lanes, causing additional congestion due to stop-and-go merging activity on the freeway. When this happens on already traffic-heavy freeways, there is a total breakdown of free-flow near the on-ramps, which has a ripple effect on traffic for many miles. Even with no stalls or accidents, heavy on-ramp traffic causes congestion that both extends and continues throughout the rush-hour.

The new ramps that will be operational the week of March 2 are:
• Tuesday afternoon: Windward Parkway to GA 400 northbound
• Wednesday morning: McFarland Parkway and Windward Parkway to GA 400 southbound
• Old Milton Parkway to GA 400 north and southbound: TBD

The Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this or any other construction project on interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

More information is available at www.511ga.org

The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our Web site http://www.dot.ga.gov

Labels: Ga 400, georgia department of transportation, ramp meters

North Fulton residents did their part to help create a Blueprint North Fulton during an interactive public meeting Wednesday night.

The North Fulton Community Improvement District (CID) decided it needed a master plan to set priorities after contributing $2 million to the completion of Westside Parkway south from Sanctuary Parkway to Mansell Road. That's a good return on their investment, according to Ann Hanlon, executive director of the North Fulton CID.

Spending money wisely is a hallmark of the group, which is a self-taxing authority. Properties owners in the commercial corridor along Ga. 400 from Mansell Road north to McGinnis Ferry Road agree to pay more taxes to raise funds for transportation infrastructure projects that will help their businesses. The corridor includes land in Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton.

The stakeholders at Wednesday's meeting included local homeowners, city officials, council members, commercial property owners and developers. They were tasked with identifying what they like about the three nodes in the CID area, which were designated as:

• North Point, from Mansell Road north to Kimball Bridge Road.

• Old Milton, north from Kimball Bridge past Old Milton Parkway to Webb Bridge Road.

• Windward, north of Webb Bridge to McGinnis Ferry Road.

The participants also labeled what changes they wanted to see in land use and designated new roadways and trails.

The CID's consultants, with Urban Collage in the lead, will take the information gleaned from these meetings, and come up with priorities for the self-taxing authority to spend the approximately $2.4 million it raises each year.

Labels: 400, Alpharetta, Ga 400, milton, North Fulton