Public Meeting
We want to hear from you!
Official Public Comment Period: November 13 - December 18, 2024
How to participate:
Three open house meetings were held on the dates below. Participants were able to drop in to visit informational stations and have their questions answered. All information shown at the in-person meetings was also available on this webpage to view. In addition, two interactive activities were available for to gather input.
In-person
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Smyrna Community Center
1250 Powder Springs St.
Smyrna, GA 30080
Translators were available in Spanish and Arabic
Thursday, December 5, 2024
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Hampton Inn Perimeter Center
769 Hammond Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30328 (Sandy Springs)
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Clarkston Community Center
3701 College Ave.
Clarkston, GA 30021
Translators were available in Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, and Vietnamese
Virtual
Click one of the buttons below to view all materials shown at the in-person public meetings
Study Overview
The purpose of the I-285 Express Lanes Transit study is to enhance regional connectivity and provide equitable transportation solutions that improve accessibility for individuals traveling along the I-285 corridor, leveraging the improved travel time advantages provided by the I-285 express lanes projects. Click the images below to view the study overview information larger; click again to return to this view.
About the Projects
Study Objectives
Growing Mobility Concerns
If you live, work, or drive in this corridor, you know that we have a growing community and that it can also be hard to get around and, sometimes, not even possible. The study area population is expected to increase 42% by 2050. At the same time, the number of jobs is expected to increase 33%. That means we will have an even greater need to get our growing number of residents and visitors to even more jobs! Click the images below to view the growing mobility concerns information larger; click again to return to this view.
Over a span of three months (June - August 2024), the study team received nearly 1,200 survey responses and attended 15 pop-up events to engage with community members. The study team also participated in 12 interviews with local stakeholders in the study area. Survey participants shared that heavy traffic is one of the biggest issues on I-285, with time savings being what would encourage more people to use transit services.
The input gathered through the survey and in-person conversations is crucial to understanding how people want to use the I-285 Express Lanes Transit service and to inform which improvements need to be built, such as ramps or stations. Click the images below to view the phase 1 engagement information larger; click again to return to this view.
What have we learned?
Benefits & Priorities
Express Lanes Transit has a variety of benefits, including reliability, frequency, travel time, and accessibility. A survey was available during the public comment period to gather feedback on which benefits were most important to travelers along I-285. Click the images below to view the benefits and priorities information larger; click again to return to this view.
Station Planning
Our station planning process along the I-285 corridor between the I-20 east and west interchanges, from H.E. Holmes to Indian Creek MARTA stations, puts people first. We're focusing on factors like proximity to essential jobs, access to major destinations, and integration into existing transportation networks to create a seamless, accessible, and efficient system that connects residents to opportunities.
We've identified five stations at existing transit hubs: H.E. Holmes, Cumberland, Perimeter Center, Doraville, and Indian Creek. These stations will serve as key connection points, making transfers between different modes of transportation easier. The remaining station locations are being strategically determined to maximize access to employment and ensure that our growing community can easily navigate the region. Click the images below to view the station planning information larger; click again to return to this view.
Transit Experience
As part of the study process, multiple station access options are being explored, looking at walk time, direct connections, and ride time as factors to consider. The study will also balance cost, complexity of implementation, feasibility, funding, and environmental impacts when evaluating options. A survey was available during the public comment period to gather feedback on traveler’s current transit experiences. Click the images below to view the scenarios information larger; click again to return to this view.
Study Process + Next Steps
This study is early in the process. We’re still several years away from I-285 Express Lanes Transit becoming a reality. By participating in the process now, you are helping to shape the future plans for I-285 Express Lanes Transit! Future actions include securing funding, environmental review, and finalizing phasing before construction would begin. Click the images below to view the study process + next steps information larger; click again to return to this view.
How to Comment
The official public comment period closed on December 18, 2024. Comments were accepted via online comment, email, mail, and in-person at the public meetings. While we accept comments throughout the study process, official public comment periods are aligned with the study schedule to ensure your comment is received during the periods when public input is needed the most.
NOTE: Information provided, including name, address, and email, will be published and is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.