GRTA
PROPOSED WIDENING GEORGIA 400,
RUNNING BUSES ON SHOULDERS
ATLANTA
- Dr. Catherine Ross, executive director of the Georgia Regional
Transportation Authority, today recommended widening Georgia 400 between
Haynes Bridge Road and McFarland Road and running express buses along
stabilized shoulders on Georgia 400.
The
recommendations are part of the package of short-term solutions proposed
by the Georgia 400 Corridor Analysis. The solutions, which are
geared to increasing transportation choices and improving mobility in
the Georgia 400 corridor, were limited to those that can be implemented
before the end of 2005. Solutions that will take longer than five
years to implement will be included in the Northern Sub-Area Study, of
which the Analysis is a part.
"These
recommendations, when implemented, will not only offset the increases in
congestion created by anticipated growth in the corridor, but also
reduce existing congestion substantially," said Ross.
"The projects already in the Atlanta Regional Commission's
Transportation Improvements Program should reduce congestion delays by
20%. The widening of Georgia 400 and the implementation of express
buses will provide substantial further congestion relief and should help
improve air quality in the region."
The
analysis was conducted in part in fulfillment of the Atlanta
Transportation Agreement negotiated with the U.S. Department of
Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency in 1997 and
1998. The goal of the agreement is to bring Metropolitan Atlanta's
air quality up to the standards demanded by the EPA. The corridor
studied covers the area centered on Georgia 400 from I-285 on the south
to Georgia 369 on the north and extending 3 miles to the east and west
of Georgia 400. This study is part of the larger Northern Sub-Area
Study, which is expected to present its is results in 2003.
A
list of the proposed road widenings, intersection improvements and
transit additions is attached.
|