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Community | 17 JUNE 2019 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net GDOT toll lanes: Answers to some frequently asked questions A screenshot from an illustrated video released by the Georgia Department of Transportation shows a section of the future toll lanes along Ga. 400 over Northridge Road in Sandy Springs. BY EVELYN ANDREWS AND JOHN RUCH As the state plans for toll lanes on Ga. 400 and 1-285, controversy and discussion have centered on some major unknowns, such as property takings and new interchange lo cations. But there also has been some confusion about topics that are at least partly known. The following are the basic answers to some common questions about the toll lanes. Where did the toll lanes idea come from? More than a decade ago, GDOT began a planning process for Perimeter traffic relief, known as “Revive 285,” that looked at a wide variety of options, including forms of mass transit, before settling on a metro-wide system of toll lanes. What is the purpose of the toll lanes? GDOT says the toll lanes will improve traffic congestion by taking vehicles out of the regular lanes, as well as by serving as mass transit bus routes on at least part of the high ways. The Ga. 400 and 1-285 toll lanes are part of a wider system planned for the met ro area, parts of which are already open on 1-75,1-85,1-575 and some other highways. Is this one project or two - or three? It’s easy to get confused about GDOT’s local plans because they involves three different projects. While the Ga. 400 toll lanes and 1-285 toll lanes would be part of a single net work, they are two separate projects with different construction timelines. And the ma jor construction work currently underway on the Ga. 400/1-285 interchange has noth ing to do with the toll lanes. The interchange reconstruction, known as “Transform 285/400,” is essentially just reconfiguring existing lanes, not adding toll lanes. GDOT aims to finish that project in late 2020. The first toll lanes project is Ga. 400, expected to start construction in 2021. The 1-285 toll lanes would follow in 2023. For added confusion, the “1-285” project actually includes part of the Ga. 400 toll lanes between 1-285 and the North Springs MARTA Sta tion. Perimeter North Medical Associates Perimeter North Medical Associates is proud to serve the families throughout the Atlanta area. Offering a full range of family medicine and endocrinology services, our experienced physicians offer attentive, compassionate care to keep you and your family happy and healthy at all stages of life. We accept most insurance plans and offer same-day appointments for sick visits. Our Services Include: • Physical exams & wellness care for men, women & children • Care for chronic illness, including diabetes, hormone and thyroid disorders • Immunizations • Acute illness treatment for colds, fevers, flu & more Mithun Diana Daniel, D.O. Denman, M.D. Family Medicine Endocrinology Charles Taylor, M.D. Family Medicine Shetal Patel, M.D. Family Medicine Call 770-395-1130 for an appointment! 960 Johnson Ferry Rd. NE, Suite 300, Atlanta, Georgia 30342 PNFM.com Stage Door Players AIN'T MISBEHAVIN music and lyrics by Thomas “Fats” Waller MAY 24-JUNE 16 How would the toll lanes be funded? GDOT is using a public-private partnership, which means that private companies fund the construction and make their money back over time through the tolls. After that money is regained, the toll revenue would be spent on “other transportation needs,” ac cording to GDOT. Will mass transit use the toll lanes? Bus rapid transit, operated by MARTA, is planned for part of the Ga. 400 lanes and is being studied for 1-285. BRT is being considered as a less expensive alternative to heavy rail. Why toll lanes instead of a MARTA rail extension? Extending MARTA’s Red Line northward through Sandy Springs was locally supported in recent transit plans, but ultimately abandoned after leaders in some other north Ful ton cities said they would not support it and the sales tax that might fund it. Bus tran sit was the consensus option, and GDOT agreed to work with MARTA on including it on the Ga. 400 toll lanes. Rail on 1-285 was among the options considered in “Revive 285” be- Continued on page 18 www.stagedoorplayers.net box office 770.396.1726