Brookhaven joins with other cities to explore transit options
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Searching for ways to improve traffic flow on I-285
Brookhaven, GA, May 16, 2019 – The City of Brookhaven continues to lead area municipalities with the second phase of the I-285 Top End Transit Project analysis.
“The I-285 Top End Transit Project connects existing and future 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. “More than 240,000 vehicles travel across the I-285 top end every weekday, one of the most heavily traveled and congested interstate highways in America. This is why we need to continue to lead the way in finding transit solutions for the future.”
In July 2018, Brookhaven joined forces with several other north Atlanta suburban cities to undertake the first phase of the I-285 Top End Transit Project. This phase explored 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 the regular business meeting of the City Council on May 14, the City Council unanimously passed a resolution to take a closer look at the project.
“The second phase of the study will provide more granular-level detail than the initial study to include things like specific station locations, ridership estimates, fare structures, and other details,” said City Manager Christian Sigman.
The resolution authorizes Brookhaven to proceed as the lead agency to initiate the study and contribute a portion of the $135,000 cost with other area municipalities and agencies. Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Chamblee, Doraville, and Tucker are joining Brookhaven to share the expense of the study using a prorated amount based on population, with additional funding being provided by the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts and the Cumberland Community Improvement District. The City of Brookhaven’s share of the study cost is estimated to be $15,000.
According to GDOT, the Top End Express Lanes Project will stretch from Tucker west to Smyrna. The 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, visit 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.
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Media Contact:
Burke Brennan
Director of Communications
404-637-0709
Burke.Brennan@BrookhavenGA.gov
