Mobility in the Atlanta metro area has been a challenge for the region for many years. The need for new mobility choices is evident throughout the region. The previous I-85 HOV lanes consistently operated over capacity and did not provide reliable travel times for motorists. In particular, the I-85 corridor has limited transit options as well as physical constraints that make it unrealistic to add new capacity to the corridor due to minimal shoulder width and development all along both sides of the expressway.

The I-85 Express Lanes project was designed to provide for a more reliable trip along with free access provided to transit, carpools of three or more, on-call emergency vehicles and alternate fuel vehicles with the appropriate license plate.  Transit enhancements were also a key component of the project as the lion’s share of the Congestion Reduction Demonstration (CRD) grant went to transit expansion in the corridor. These goals provided most of the travelers on I-85 with an option to use the Express Lanes for a faster trip when needed. Before the Express Lanes opening, single occupant motorists were not able to use the HOV lane, therefore they were forced to use the general purpose lanes at all times.

The I-85 Express Lanes project demonstrated excellence in several ways. The partnership between GDOT, GRTA and SRTA was unparalleled and afforded major milestones to be accomplished without the typical bureaucratic “red tape” that plagues government agencies when implementing major projects. In addition, every staff member at SRTA understood their role in the project and were all striving towards a common goal. This helped to keep morale at an all-time high in the agency and promoted camaraderie amongst all staff. The successes and lessons learned from the project have been documented and shared with numerous tolling entities across the nation. SRTA has led various sessions on how to implement a HOT lane project, specifically providing details on the marketing and communications campaign strategies.