Georgia moves ahead with plans for toll lanes in metro Atlanta

Thursday’s actions were another step in GDOT’s plans for 120 miles of toll lanes in metro Atlanta. The agency has already opened 67 miles of lanes along I-85 northeast of Atlanta., I-75 and I-575 northwest and I-75 south of town.

But the biggest projects are still to come.

GDOT plans to build toll lanes along 16 miles of Ga. 400. But its first attempt was sidetracked three years ago when the board rejected the only admissible proposal, which was far over budget. $1.7 billion from GDOT for the project.

The agency has since tried again and is currently analyzing two proposals received last week, said Tim Matthews, GDOT expressway administrator. The project includes two new toll lanes in each direction from the North Springs MARTA station to McGinnis Ferry Road, as well as one new toll lane in each direction from McGinnis Ferry to north of McFarland Parkway.

The agency also plans to build two lanes in each direction along 40 miles of the upper half of the perimeter. The estimated cost: more than $6 billion. The tracks were divided into two sections for contractual purposes.

One project includes lanes from I-20 east of Atlanta to Northside Drive and along Georgia 400 to the North Springs station. The second project includes lanes from Northside Drive to I-20 west of Atlanta.

The board approved plans to allow GDOT to use “comprehensive development agreements” for both projects. The agreements would allow the agency to negotiate multiple phases of construction with chosen contractors. Negotiations would determine the specific segments, costs, schedules and designs for each phase of construction.

GDOT has pushed back the construction schedule for I-285 lanes several times in recent years and divided them into smaller segments to maximize taxpayer dollars and encourage more competition among contractors.

“They can’t be built under one contract, as much as we would like,” Matthews told the board.

GDOT opted to allow private companies to operate the lanes on I-285 and Ga. 400 — setting toll rates and collecting revenue — in exchange for helping finance the massive projects. The agency says this approach will save more taxpayer dollars than if the public paid the full cost.

Critics fear private operators will be incentivized to charge higher tolls.

State funding came from a gas tax increase approved by the General Assembly in 2016. The following year, then-Gov. Nathan Deal has unveiled a 10-year highway construction program which includes toll lanes.

Other projects include new I-285 interchanges on I-20 east and west of Atlanta, widening of I-85 northeast of the city, and new passenger lanes. trucks between Macon and McDonough on I-75.