Corridor Level Analysis of Potential Managed Lanes Investments on I-75 South in Atlanta, Georgia

The I-75 South corridor is currently recognized as a heavily congested corridor in Atlanta with both residential and commercial traffic growth. This transportation growth is driven by the region’s economic and population expansion, increasing number of distribution facilities, and proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and other intermodal facilities. This study considered a combination of new priced managed lanes options including: High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, Express Toll Lanes (ETL), and Truck Only Toll (TOT) lanes in order to reduce congestion, increase safety, and improve reliability versus new General Purpose (GP) lanes. The I-75 South Managed Lanes Study was intended to evaluate the proper combination and configuration of priced managed lanes along the I-75 South corridor from I-285 south to State Route 16 in Butts County. The managed lanes are proposed to accommodate the expected increase in travel demand, provide the corridor with reliable mobility or “congestion insurance”, and provide transit services operating in the corridor with dependable travel times. The intent of this study was to determine the financial and operational feasibility of the managed lanes options on the I-75 South corridor, through a planning-level analysis, and to initiate a process that may ultimately lead to future project implementation and operations. Preliminary cost and traffic and revenue estimates were analyzed for eight managed lane investment alternatives in the study. The study found that the potential to implement managed lanes in the I-75 South corridor is promising and could provide benefits to both this corridor and the surrounding transportation system.