A conversation with Russell McMurry, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation

Jim Durrett, president and CEO of The Buckhead Coalition, has three questions for Russell McMurry, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Q: Russell, we have known each other professionally for quite a few years and serve on the MARTA board together today. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

The I-285 / GA-400 interchange transformation project began in February of 2017. When do you expect it to be completed, and what should Buckhead residents and commuters notice in terms of impact?

A:The 285/400 interchange is nearing substantial completion and we are already seeing speeds and travel times improving along the corridors despite still being an active construction zone. The remaining work includes milling and replacing the existing asphalt along I-285. This will include putting the lanes into their final location and resurfacing of I-285. The final resurfacing will occur next spring.

 

Q: What are plans for express lanes on GA-400 north of I-285, and do you think that there is a need to begin to think about express lanes on GA-400 between I-285 and I-85 through Buckhead?

A: The State Road and Toll Authority and GDOT are in an active procurement for constructing two new express lanes northbound and southbound from around the North Springs MARTA Station to McGinnis Ferry Road and one express lane in either direction from McGinnis Ferry Road to just north of McFarland Road. The express lanes will give users options along the corridor and will be free for transit.

One important aspect of this project is that high capacity transit accommodations are integrated into the express lane project which will allow for a connection from the MARTA North Springs Station to the Windward Parkway park and ride, including two station locations along the way. This is a Public Private Partnership (P3) project. Next steps will be to select a P3 team and to get under contract with that team. Don’t expect to see construction for a few years. GDOT is actively replacing several bridges to accommodate the express lanes.

Regarding your question of bringing express lanes further south, currently there is not a plan for express lanes inside of I-285 along SR 400. However, as traffic volumes have recovered from the pandemic, SR 400 has become less reliable. The limiting constraint for additional lanes is the financial center tunnel. We would welcome the Buckhead community’s thoughts on the possibility of express lanes inside the perimeter to provide a more reliable option.

 

Q: Probably the biggest program that your agency has taken on in Metro Atlanta is the Major Mobility Investment Program. What would you want folks in Buckhead to understand about this program in terms of projects, their timelines, and impacts?

A: The biggest thing to share is that these major projects take a long time! We plan to start the discussion with the private contracting companies next calendar year to discuss approaches for express lanes along I-285. Our goal is to start the competitive procurement for a portion of I-285 next calendar year and would expect it to take 18 months or more. As with everything, costs have increased for construction and property acquisition. These projects’ costs are in the multi-billions dollar range.