Confucius famously quoted, "Roads were made for journeys not destinations." Although Confucius may not have had the Georgia roadways in mind, sometimes driving even an exit or two on the roads surrounding Atlanta can seem like a Journey(often with a few four letter words thrown in). Our speakers this past Monday aim to change this experience for all travelers on the roadways in Georgia.

On August 1st 2022, The Georgia Department of Transportation spoke to the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs to provide updates on the Transform 285/400 Project as well as the Express lanes that are coming to SR400 and I-285.

Marlo L. Clowers,  Alternative Delivery Program Manager at the Georgia Department of Transportation, provided an update on the much anticipated Transform 285/400 Project. The key focuses of the project include:

• New ramps and flyover bridges at the I-285/SR 400 Interchange. 
• New Collector-Distributor (CD) lanes and bridges between Long Island Drive and Ashford Dunwoody on I-285
• Bridge Replacements over Glenridge, SR 400,  and Peachtree Dunwoody
• Bridge Deck Improvements on Long Island Drive and Lake Forrest Drive 
• New CD lanes and bridges between Glenridge Connector and Pitts Road
• Bridge Replacements at Mount Vernon Highway and SR 400 over Abernathy Road
• A new diverging diamond interchange at Abernathy Road

Clowers noted two of the most recent accomplishments to the project are the new bridge from I-285 Eastbound to SR 400 Northbound and a new exit on SR 400 Northbound to Abernathy Road.

Tim Matthews, Georgia DOT State Express Lanes Administrator, spoke about the new express lanes that will be coming to SR 400 and I-285 to make that white-knuckled rush hour commute less stressful and more efficient. 

Matthews explained the vision for the project is to "Provide a comprehensive regional express lanes system for the Atlanta region." These express lanes should maximize value for travelers by improving safety, adding additional capacity to I-285, enhancing access and connectivity to existing express lanes, support enhanced transit options and promote innovation.

The current procurement timing of the regional express lane project

Representatives of the Transform 285/400 can be reached by email at transform285400@dot.ga.gov, by phone at 404-609-4609, or their website at https://transform285400-gdot.hub.arcgis.com/