I-85 HOT Lanes

HOV to HOT Conversion Project from I-285 to Old Peachtree Road

Upcoming Meeting

What: HOT Lane Forum
When: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Where: Georgia Railroad Freight Depot - 65 Martin Luther King, Jr, Dr., Atlanta

Join Georgia DOT Commissioner Vance C. Smith, Jr. to hear transportation experts from around the country discuss successful HOT Lane projects. View Invitation

Note: Attendees must RSVP at rsvp@sycamoreconsulting.net or (404) 377-9147.

Project Background

In November of 2008, the USDOT awarded a $110 million Congestion Reduction Demonstration (CRD) Program grant to the Atlanta region. The CRD grant will enable the conversion of 15 miles of existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes on I-85 from Chamblee Tucker Road, just south of I-285, to Old Peachtree Road. Tolls will vary dynamically based on the number of vehicles using the HOT lanes to keep the lane free-flowing and provide reliable travel time. Innovative technologies will be deployed to aid HOT lane operations and enforcement. CRD funding will also contribute towards expanding express bus services called Xpress.

In the I-85 north corridor, the CRD funding will provide new park and ride lots at Hamilton Mill and at Cedars Road. In addition, CRD funding will provide the right-of-way for the expansion of the I-985/GA 20 park and ride lot and the purchase of 36 new coaches to support the conversion project. Elsewhere in the region, the CRD funding will allow GRTA to develop the South Xpress Operating Center, construct eight park and ride lots and purchase 46 new coaches for expanded Xpress service. The total cost for the HOT lane tolling system, civil construction, public outreach, transit improvements, and performance monitoring is $182 million.