Is Interstate 14 Dead? (Atlanta, Columbus, Savannah: store, train, trailer)

[outsideperspective]

I-3 it would make it easier to get to family in Knoxville

[Southernbill]

Another benefit to I-3 over I-14 in the state of Georgia would be another expressway route for the city of Savannah and the Coastal Georgia area in the event of a hurricane evacuation.

[testa50]

My Atlanta view on all this is that we nix the bit of I-3 going from Augusta to Knoxville, which would free up almost exactly the amount of mileage we need to do I-14 in its entirety.

Of course, this doesn't really bring home to pork to any other states in an obvious way (although it actually would benefit South Carolina and Alabama, to be able to avoid Atlanta when traveling between the states), so it's probably not on the table. But the part of I-3 that goes through the mountains and over to Knoxville seems pretty pointless to me.

[Columbus1984]

I agree with you, good point. I-14 would be easier to construct and more used in my opinion.

[912]

Originally Posted by River_Dawg

Every state west of Georgia could reach Savannah without going thru Atlanta. Just take I-14 to Macon then I-16 to Savannah.

You've never heard of I-10 apparently.

[912]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

I agree with you, good point. I-14 would be easier to construct and more used in my opinion.

More used? Highly doubtful.

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by 912

More used? Highly doubtful.

Highly likely. This interstate has been under study longer, makes more sense, easier to construct, and more supported. Do you realize how difficult and expensive it would be to construct an interstate through the north Georgia mountains?? It would take decades to construct. Opening up the Savannah port to points further west is an excellent economic opportunity for Georgia.

[nortonguy]

How is I-14 more supported or been under study longer??? Both interstates I-3 & I-14 were introduced in the same year 2005.. The USDOT feasibility study of I-3 began in June of 2010 and wraps up at the end of 2011...

I-14 doesn't connect to Savannah and won't have a real impact of the port... I-3 connects to Savannah and will make the trips to Augusta or TN/SC/North GA a much easier and faster drive...

[gaduchman]

Originally Posted by River_Dawg

With the current state of the economy, is this project dead in the water? And if so who is the biggest loser?(Columbus, Macon or Augusta)

Does anyone really care? From the drawing board to final chip sealing takes 7 to 10 years.

You can put in light rail in half the time for less than 1M per mile.

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by gaduchman

You can put in light rail in half the time for less than 1M per mile.

I wish... light rails costs at the absolute lowers are about $15M/mile and goes upwards towards $100m/mile. (Typically around $35-$40milion/mile)

The costs differences depends on right-of-way, grading, traffic crossings, traffic separation (brideges/tunnels), etc...

My main issue is a route going from Savannah to Knoxville would ultimately promote more economic development in Georgia. It would directly connect the port and industries to the midwest without going through Atlanta.

The other route just connects smaller fall line cities across the south. There isn't a whole lot of economic integration between them, nor is there any particular economic benefits to connecting them better. Most want/need access to areas outside of Georgia via the port, Hartsfield, neighboring regions.

One route helps promote these advantages better than the other.