July 2006

Page 12

North Buckhead Newsletter

Time to Fix GA 400? -- continued

GA 400/I-85 Problems


1. The GA 400/I-85 Interchange was never completed. 

  • The southbound merge with I-85 frequently causes significant backups all the way to the Buckhead Loop, greatly increasing surface street congestion in Buckhead, particularly on the Buckhead Loop.
  • There is no way to go from southbound GA 400 to northbound I-85 without using surface streets.
  • There is no way to go from southbound I-85 to northbound GA 400 without using surface streets.
  • There is no way to go from Sidney Marcus Drive to GA 400 to I-85.
2. Atlantic Station traffic and all Midtown traffic entering the expressway system north of North Avenue must use Sidney Marcus to reach GA 400--the Buford Highway extension doesn't intersect GA 400 as I-85 does.  The northern-most entrance to I-85 that connects to GA 400 is Linden Avenue, near Emory Crawford Long Hospital.
3. Some of the sound fencing through North Buckhead and other neighborhoods along GA 400 is either absent or inadequate.   
4. GA 400 Toll Gates lighting spills into the neighbor

lems, a list of conditions that need to be fixed.)
Fearing that GDOT might ignore our end of GA 400 if we didn't speak up quickly, we fired off a letter to GDOT Chief Engineer David Studstill, outlining our concerns.  Mr. Studstill promptly replied, assuring us that the proposed project scope includes the I-85 interchange.  Since specifics are still lacking on how this interchange's  deficiencies will be addressed (and when), we will monitor this project as it develops.
The way the GA 400 project would be funded and built is new and different, if it happens.  (We say "if", because the project is still the object of future negotiations between GDOT and with the contractors.)  Last year the Georgia Legislature authorized the GDOT  to work with private investors and contractors to construct projects in an expedited manner, financed through tolls.  This type of project is called Public-Private Initiatives (PPI).  (Details about the PPI and the projects are on the GDOT web site at www.dot.state.ga.us/ppi/.  Correspondence and additional material is on NBCA's web site at www.nbca.org/GA400PPI.) 
NBCA will monitor the progress of the GA 400 PPI and will keep the neighborhood apprised.

PDF Format: Newsletter

Links to articles in this Newsletter in HTML:

Page 1 - NPU-B Board Reps Sought / Time to Fix GA 400?
Page 2 - Coyotes: Our New Neighbors
Page 3 - Coyotes: Our New Neighbors
Page 4 - Alexander Tract Update
Page 5 - Tree Destruction at North Buckhead Bank /Glenridge Place Joins NBCA
Page 6 - “How do we get speed humps on our street?” 
Page 7 - “How do we get speed humps on our street?”
Page 8 - Building a Community in the Garden / Woodland Trail
Page 9 - CityPlace Development — Lenox Super Block / Join NBCA’s E-mail List
Page 10 - Roswell Wieuca Renovation / Sponsor NBCA’s Web Site! / Police Tips
Page 11 - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle — Part One / Recycling Guidelines
Page 12 - GA 400/I-85 Problems
Page 13 - Deer, Fox, Coyote, & Turtle / Welcome to the Neighborhood!
Page 14 - Area Businesses Support NBCA
Page 15 - Annual Meeting Report / 2006 NBCA Elections