News Summary
The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a historic loan of up to $3.8 billion for the Georgia 400 Express Lanes Project. This funding aims to improve traffic conditions and enhance transportation efficiency in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The loan supports a public-private partnership that will develop express lanes along a 16-mile stretch of Georgia 400 and includes contributions towards future bus rapid transit services. The project is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion, with improvements projected to be completed by 2031.
Atlanta, Georgia – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced a historic loan of up to $3.8 billion for the Georgia 400 Express Lanes Project, marking the largest amount ever awarded to a single borrower under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA). This funding is part of a major effort to improve traffic conditions and enhance transportation efficiency in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
The loan will be directed towards a public-private partnership that includes the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the State Road and Tollway Authority, and SR 400 Peach Partners, LLC. The initiative will develop express lanes extending in both directions along a 16-mile stretch of Georgia 400, from the MARTA North Springs Station at Exit 5C in Fulton County to Exit 12 in Forsyth County, just north of McFarland Parkway.
Additionally, Peach Partners is set to contribute $75 million towards future improvements for bus rapid transit (BRT) service, which will be operated by MARTA. The new BRT system will utilize the express lanes for approximately 12 miles, effectively providing enhanced transit options for local commuters.
Access to the express lanes will be available to any vehicle equipped with a Peach Pass, following a model similar to existing express lanes on Interstates 75, 85, and 285. As part of the financial agreement, Peach Partners will pay a $3.8 billion concession fee to GDOT, which will further support other roadway projects throughout the state.
The Georgia 400 Express Lanes Project is projected to significantly alleviate traffic congestion for Atlanta commuters. It is estimated that the improvements will reduce traffic delays by a total of 19,000 minutes per day, with each traveler saving an average of about 15 minutes during their commutes. Additionally, the project is anticipated to result in an 8% decrease in traffic incidents on the route due to new enhancements aimed at public safety, including the construction of new bridges and other critical safety features.
The completion of the project is expected to occur mostly by 2031. The GDOT has made renderings of the proposed lanes available on its YouTube channel and further information can be found on the Peach Partners website regarding the progress and details of the initiative.
This significant funding allocation underscores a continued commitment to improving transportation infrastructure in the Atlanta area, targeting congestion relief and enhanced transit accessibility for the region’s growing population. By making substantial investments in infrastructure, the goal is to foster a more efficient and safe commuting environment for all users of Georgia’s roadways.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Fox 5 Atlanta
- Wikipedia: Transportation in Atlanta
- WSB-TV
- Google Search: Georgia 400 Express Lanes
- Atlanta News First
- Google Scholar: Georgia 400 Express Lanes
- AJC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Georgia 400
- Rough Draft Atlanta
- Google News: Georgia 400 Express Lanes
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