This entry was posted on 9/23/2011 11:24 AM and is filed under uncategorized.
Next week, the I-85 High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes in DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties will be opened... and they may not really help alleviate congestion.
According to a traffic and revenue study conducted on behalf of the State of Georgia by Jacobs Engineering shows that "the regular lanes are expected
to gain up to 90 new vehicles per lane, per hour during rush hour, and at
one location 120, making for traffic volumes of about 1,200 to 1,500 cars
per hour in each lane" but "drivers won't notice"... okaaaaaayyyyyy.
What this seems to tell me is that a US$60,000,000 project to convert a section of I-85's existing High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to HOT lanes is potentially a waste of our taxpayer dollars spent on tolling lanes that we, the taxpayers, already paid for in the first place. Smooth move, State Road And Tollway Authority (SRTA).
These so-called "Lexus lanes" will be tolled at rates varying from 10 to 90 cents per mile ($0.06/km to $0.56/km). The greater the congestion in the regular travel lanes, the higher the toll rate. Given that fact, it seems that perhaps our dear friends at SRTA would probably like to see regular I-85 traffic get worse so that they can make more and more money from those solo and less-than-3-person drivers who choose to use the HOT lanes.
Furthermore, given that the HOT lanes are the leftmost lanes on the freeway, one would have to cut across multiple lanes of traffic to exit the freeway (except for I-85 northbound to GA 316, where there is an existing left-hand HOV exit). Have you ever encountered someone cutting in front of you across multiple lanes at once so that they can exit the freeway? It can be a scary sight and have you thanking God that it didn't result in a major pile-up (which you could've easily been a part of).
So, dear readers, do you really think that the I-85 HOT Lanes are going to provide a decent ROI (return on investment)? From what I am reading, I don't think so. The idea that lanes we paid for are being converted to toll... especially for "Lexus lanes"... is ludicrous, and I will not waste my money traveling in these lanes.
Now that I've spoken my peace, what do you, dear reader, think? Please feel free to post your thoughts on the comments section.
That's it for now. Thanks for reading and please come back often.
9/23/2011 11:41 AM
Andy Dickerson wrote:
Never mind the "return on investment" (which I think won't even come close to breaking even). I think that this HOT project is unconstitutional. The construction and maintenance of those lanes have already paid for by state and federal transportation taxes that we all pay when we fill the tank.
The state can't simply privatize a public road. I'm amazed that they have gotten away with it up to this point. I anticipate a challenge in the federal court system.
It's interesting to note that the I-85 HOT lanes lead straight to the governor's home base in the Gainesville area. This is the same governor who was unfavorably evaluated by a unanimous, bipartisan House Ethics subcommittee for his actions as a congresman (among other things, personally lobbying for government contracts to benefit a business of which he was an owner and salaried employee at the time -- all in the name of "constituent service" because he was his own constituent). Reply to this
10/8/2011 9:03 AM
Andy Dickerson wrote:
I want to comment on my previous post. Although I didn't vote for Deal and I don't like him (based on his behavior while a US congressman), I realized after more research this week that the HOT train had left the station before he was elected.
Thank you, Sonny and the Georgia legislature! Reply to this
9/23/2011 11:49 AM
Bet Sobon wrote:
I don't want to use the lanes either, but what choice do I have. I have ordered a Peach pass and will use the lanes to see if it helps. Traffic has been horrible the past few weeks, and this will only make it worse. UGH. Reply to this
10/5/2011 6:37 AM
how2fish wrote: As a resident and tax payer for over 40 years this upsets be to no end! I've watched politicians lie and steal from us on transportation issues since the the beginning of the Marta planning..this is just another swindle of the taxpayer..how can we protest this ?? Reply to this
10/6/2011 10:17 AM
joan wrote: I am waiting patiently for my peach pass. On weekday mornings, I used Satellite Blvd. from McGinnis Ferry to Beaver Ruin as my route. It was always faster than using I85. Not this week, however, it has taken me twice as long with congestion! Today I actually took I85 (not in the peach pass lane) and it was faster! I also heard that Peachtree Industrial is just as bad as Satellite, if not worse! Did GDOT look into this factor?! My guess is no.... Reply to this
10/6/2011 11:17 AM
Dale wrote:
I am utterly disgusted at what our state representatives have done with our HOV lane. I get so irritated when I see what has happened to the traffic this week since the Lexus Lane opened. Call it what it is. It is a convenience lane for those who have deep pockets and it really just doesn't matter what it cost if they get to drive on by all the regular folks who cannot afford to use 'their Lexus Lane'.
As others have said, we already get taxed for the roads every single time we put gas in our autos. Why do we get to vote on SPLOST taxes but this one was never put in front of the voters. I think the political crooks who sold this one to us know why it didn't' go to a vote. Guess who is using those HOT, I mean Lexus, lanes!
Come on Georgia, Scream and Scream loud and lets get this overturned and put back like it was. Two person lanes so we can really take some cars off the road.
Was a study done to determine how many two person car pools were thrown to the wolves and lost the privilege of using the HOV.
Disgusted and Pissed Off
And by the way, I usually ride in a VPSI Van pool so I am not stuck in the new traffic jams the DOT has caused with their mischief. It didn't affect my drive for most days but the potential that if I am out on Sunday driving with my wife and traffic gets thick, I now have to pay to use what should be the HOV lane we already paid for years ago. That pisses me off. Reply to this
10/6/2011 5:42 PM
James wrote: Not only is this a headache for residence what about buisness/tourist traffic? How important is tourist dollars to Atlanta? Those drivers can not use the hot lanes even if they have ten people in the vehicle because they have no PEACHPASS and can not pay a toll any other way.So here I am with my family and friends stuck in all this traffic on my way to Atlanta for a concert, sporting event or whatever. I arrive two hours late tired,hungry and pissed off!!!! Good job Toll Authorty thats how to attract out of state dollars. DUH!!!! Reply to this
10/7/2011 8:04 AM
mbstager wrote: I agree! this is the best idea for increasing traffic that anyone has imagined. Who do we contact at SRTA? Reply to this
10/11/2011 7:43 AM
tooquic wrote: This is crazy! Point blank, they did it to fatten their pockets. How is it that a state can implement such a stupid idea and fail to realize it will impact businesses, families (single parents that use the lane if you only have one child), and workers.
This HOT is impacting all working classes and especially the lower class. They already have problems driving long distances for quality jobs, then add gas prices, and now you add a toll to the HOV->HOT. Just dumbass! When will the government do what's right for people. Oh, never! Reply to this
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