Brookhaven joins with other cities to explore transit options
Searching for ways to improve traffic flow on I-285
Brookhaven, GA, July 24, 2018 – Frazzled nerves and frustrating bumper-to-bumper traffic served up during daily I-285 rush hours may one day be just a distant memory thanks to major planning being done currently by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). To provide input relevant to area residents, Brookhaven has joined forces with several other north Atlanta suburban cities to explore additional transit options such as light rail and bus rapid transit that may be applicable to the GDOT’s I-285 Top End Express Lanes Project. At Tuesday’s regular Council meeting, City leaders unanimously passed a resolution to take help take a closer look at the project.
“The I-285 Top End Express Lanes Project connects with other future and existing GDOT ventures that will build a better Georgia by enhancing mobility and safety, fueling economic growth and improving local residents’ quality of life,” said Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst. “We need to explore transit options along the I-285 top end, one of the most heavily traveled and congested interstate highways in America. More than 240,000 vehicles travel across the I-285 top end every weekday.”
The resolution authorized the City to contribute a portion of the cost of a transit feasibility study for the Top End I-285 Express Lanes project. Working in tandem with Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Chamblee, Doraville and Tucker, the cities will share the cost of the study using a prorated amount based on population with additional funding being provided by the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts (PCID) and the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID). The City of Brookhaven’s share of the study cost is estimated to be $16,000.
According to GDOT, the Top End Express Lanes undertaking will feature the addition of two new elevated, barrier-separated express lanes in both directions of I-285, alongside the existing general-purpose lanes. The project will stretch from Tucker west to Smyrna. The I-285 Top End Express Lanes venture will be part of the larger Georgia Express Lanes system, designed to provide drivers more reliable trip times. In addition, transit riders and state registered vanpools can utilize the express lanes at no additional cost. For more information go to http://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/GEL/I285TopEnd.
The plan is part of GDOT’s Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP), which currently includes 11 large-scale projects. “Building better highways is one way to help alleviate the traffic congestion problem now and into the future,” Mayor Ernst added. “but seeking auxiliary options such as bus and light rail will make the traffic solutions even more effective.”
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