The planned 285/400 interchange redesign (Atlanta, Dunwoody: vehicles, transit, deal)

[bryantm3]

i also noticed mr. anti-transit money-saver GTcorndog voted to redesign the whole thing. WHERE'S YOUR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY?

[cqholt]

i also noticed mr. anti-transit money-saver GTcorndog voted to redesign the whole thing. WHERE'S YOUR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY?

That only applies to transit projects.

[tikigod311]

Seriously, with all this talk of rearraging numerous exits. Just build some new damn ramps!

[cqholt]

Seriously, with all this talk of rearraging numerous exits. Just build some new damn ramps

If they would create braided ramps for the exits it would eliminate the backups on the travel lanes for people exiting to Ashford-Dunwoody, Glenridge, 400, Roswell, and Peachtree-Dunwoody.

[ATL Golfer]

Is a new interchange suppose to simply help the congestion that backs up onto 285 Eastbound? I assume make it less dangerous to get onto GA400 coming that direction as well.

Here is the deal with the first issue. No matter how easily you can flow onto GA400, GA400 is a parking lot and will still have issues of creating congestion on 285 and other streets. If there is no where to go, there is no where to go. Also, 285 is typically backed up to from Spaghetti Junction to Ashford Dunwoody anyhow.

Bottom line with Atlanta traffic. You have too many drivers that are not very good at driving. You aren't going to solve that issue. Traffic is here to stay.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by ATL Golfer

Is a new interchange suppose to simply help the congestion that backs up onto 285 Eastbound? I assume make it less dangerous to get onto GA400 coming that direction as well.

Here is the deal with the first issue. No matter how easily you can flow onto GA400, GA400 is a parking lot and will still have issues of creating congestion on 285 and other streets. If there is no where to go, there is no where to go. Also, 285 is typically backed up to from Spaghetti Junction to Ashford Dunwoody anyhow.

Bottom line with Atlanta traffic. You have too many drivers that are not very good at driving. You aren't going to solve that issue. Traffic is here to stay.

This is why MARTA Red Line needs to be extended up the 400 Corridor.

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by cqholt

If they would create braided ramps for the exits it would eliminate the backups on the travel lanes for people exiting to Ashford-Dunwoody, Glenridge, 400, Roswell, and Peachtree-Dunwoody.

Are you referring to the design where the exit or entrance ramp flies over the other?


Ahhhh, beautiful Houston. This was literally a mile from my house and my place of work. This view really brings back the memories. AAAGGGGHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Now you don't have to travel there, because this is what over half the city looks like

This is a practical design though. Removes a lot of the "merging madness" phenomenon.

[architect77]

I would like to point out that this expensive solution is the result of funneling an entire 6-million metro's motorists onto the same simple hub/spoke system from the 1960's. Even if I-285 was 10 lanes in each direction, having other east-west freeway options (think Northern Arc) would relieve congestion more efficiently and this interchange would probably be ok as is.

[cqholt]

I would like to point out that this expensive solution is the result of funneling an entire 6-million metro's motorists onto the same simple hub/spoke system from the 1960's. Even if I-285 was 10 lanes in each direction, having other east-west freeway options (think Northern Arc) would relieve congestion more efficiently and this interchange would probably be ok as is.

More freeways will not solve anything. We need a comprehensive regional transit system.

[testa50]

Originally Posted by architect77

I would like to point out that this expensive solution is the result of funneling an entire 6-million metro's motorists onto the same simple hub/spoke system from the 1960's. Even if I-285 was 10 lanes in each direction, having other east-west freeway options (think Northern Arc) would relieve congestion more efficiently and this interchange would probably be ok as is.

I actually agree with this somewhat. Although I think we need to take a different approach to building new limited access capacity instead of new, greenfield roadways.

I think we need to upgrade existing arterial roads into superarterials, and charge tolls to use the limited access lanes. I wrote extensively on my blog about this, but one corridor which looks especially suitable is Highway 92 between I-75 over to 400. That would be a gamechanger for congestion on the northside. And it would serve already-developed areas, rather than undeveloped areas.

Instead we just continue to make minor, but still extremely expensive, upgrades to existing limited access roads.