Northwest Corridor Project to Resolve I-575 Traffic Congestion

Northeast Cobb drivers who frequent the I-575 corridor extending from the I-75 interchange in Cobb County into Cherokee County know well the traffic congestion experienced with only four general-purpose lanes.

The Northwest Corridor Project (NWCP) proposes to make transportation improvements that include the addition of a managed lane system in the median between the I-75/I-575 interchange and Sixes Road. The managed lane system on I-575 could, as an option, include slip ramp access between the managed lane and the general purpose lane systems rather than direct access interchanges at Big Shanty Road, Shallowford Road, and Dupree Road as proposed in the DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement).

The NWCP has been compared to the I-85 Express Lanes, but the scope and operation of the two projects vary greatly. Some of the key differences between the I-85 project and the NWCP include:

• NWCP adds additional lanes to I-75 and I-575. Two new lanes would be added to I-75 between I-285 and I-575. One new lane would be added to I-75 between I-575 and north of Hickory Grove Road, and one new lane would be added to I-575 between I-75 and Sixes Road. The project does not convert or change any of the existing lanes on I-75 or I-575. The reversible feature would help minimize traffic congestion in the direction with the most demand, e.g. southbound in the morning commute period and northbound in the afternoon commute period.

• NWCP utilizes dedicated entrance and exit points on I-75. Six new managed lane interchanges are proposed on I-75. This would provide system-only access to and from the managed lanes to local streets, eliminating the need to cross over multiple lanes of traffic to enter or exit the system. The access locations
would be separate from the general purpose interchanges. For I-575, users will continue to use the existing interchanges to enter and exit I-575, and access the managed lanes through three new pairs of slip ramps.

• NWCP is barrier separated. The managed lanes system is separate from the existing I-75 and I-575 facilities, allowing enforcement of proper use of the lanes and management of incidents such as traffic accidents and vehicle breakdowns.

• NWCP will toll all users. All motorists, regardless of how many passengers are in the car would be charged the same toll rate (excluding registered transit vehicles, military vehicles, emergency vehicles and school buses). Motorcycles must pay the toll to use the NWCP.

• NWCP is a Public Private Partnership (P3) project. Final design and construction of the project will be conducted with private industry partners, which will greatly expand the options for innovative technology and funding.

• Tolls for the NWCP will be collected electronically and toll amounts will vary by time of day and congestion level. Users will have the opportunity to pay by transponder or by license plate. Registration for a Peach Pass account will not be required, though existing Peach Pass account holders will be able to utilize their transponders to access the facility.

Accompanying this article is the Northwest Corridor Project Fall Newsletter with maps, computer graphics and more information.

Review and Comment on the FEIS

For the last ten months, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) has been working with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to develop the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Northwest Corridor Project. The FEIS is available for review. The FEIS is accessible in a number of ways:

1. On the project website, www.nwcproject.com.
2. At the following Northeast Cobb Georgia DOT Office: GDOT Cobb Area Engineer’s Office, 1269 Kennestone Circle.
3. You may also request a DVD and additional content by calling the Voice Mail Hotline at 404-377-4012 or emailing nwcpcomments@projectsolvemail.com.

After review of the FEIS, you may submit your comments by email, phone or mail with the contact information listed below:

Voice Mail Hotline: 404-377-4012
Email: nwcpcomments@projectsolvemail.com
Website: www.nwcproject.com

Postal service:

Darryl D. VanMeter, P.E.
State Innovative Program Delivery Engineer
Georgia Department of Transportation
One Georgia Center
600 West Peachtree NW, 27th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30308

To be included in the official project record, submit your comments by Nov. 21.

Do you believe the Northwest Corridor Project is worthwhile and will help traffic congestion? How do you feel about the toll system? Share your opinion in the Comment Box below or vote in the poll.