Académique Documents
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WESTERN
COMMERCIAL
CONNECTOR
CHALLENGES TO LOCAL ECONOMIES
Poor Mobility
Poor Connectivity
Congestion
Currently Programmed Projects are too little, too late.
Insufficient Funding at State and Federal Level
Environmental Reviews Delay or Eliminate Projects
State and Federal Oversight Delays Projects and Inflates
Project Costs
Focus has been on commuters and not on freight movement
or through traffic
ATLANTA TRAFFIC
¾ Atlanta traffic commute not nation’s worst , but close (AJC)
¾ Atlanta Traffic: Overturned Semi Causes Congestion (AJC)
¾ Atlanta’s road system strikes again (AJC)
¾ Atlanta’s interstate highways consistently make the national rankings for
worst bottlenecks (AJC)
¾ Atlanta’s I‐285 6th most congested U.S. road (NHWA)
¾ Lack of Alternative Routes Create Bottlenecks (NHWA)
Accidents are bad for Business
For each minute it takes to clear an accident it creates
7 minutes of delay
Over 145,000 accidents per year in metro Atlanta
Over 14,000 accidents per year involving Semi‐Trucks
Over 650 fatalities per year in metro Atlanta
FREIGHT MOVEMENT IN TONNAGE
Atlanta – America’s Bottleneck
ORIGIN -
DESTINATION
Georgia’s Economic
Outlook
Atlanta Metropolitan Area projected to
add 1 million people by 2015
Construction on Panama Canal to be
complete in 2014 allowing larger ships
access to Georgia’s Ports
Port of Savannah projected to double
cargo capacity by 2025
Fort Benning 80,000 acre expansion will
continue through 2017
West Point Kia plant continues to
increase production and expand lines
KEYS TO SUCCESS
RELIABILITY
SUSTAINABILITY
ALTERNATIVES
Involved Jurisdictions
4‐lane Roadway
Limited Access
80 mph Design Speed
Toll Road
Approximately 113 Miles
Estimated Cost $2 Billion
TRAVEL TIME BENEFITS
(without an accident)
I‐75 to I‐85 From High Falls exit to Newnan
I‐75 to I‐20 From High Falls exit to Villa Rica
I‐75 to I‐75 From High Falls exit to Cartersville
Travel Times
to/from Atlanta Markets
Existing Proposed
Relieve Congestion
A local government initiative to solve a regional
transportation problem
This multi‐jurisdictional transportation coalition will provide
a model for other communities to follow
Project demonstrates innovative leadership, out of the box
thinking, and a commitment to the future
A Northwest Atlanta By-pass Project was recommended to the
Georgia General Assembly in a briefing given in December 2008 entitled
Investing in Tomorrow's Transportation Today (IT3 Scenario Results and
Implications)
This study focused on the need for new capacity for freight
movement around Atlanta and the State. 43% of truck traffic entering
Atlanta is not bound for Atlanta
Multiple financial institutions have reviewed the project and
given verbal support. They recommended moving ahead
with a Toll and Revenue study (T & R). They have expressed
a strong desire to be a partner in the project.
Conceptual T & R study currently being conducted.
No legislation is required to build project
A Joint Development Authority will be created by the County’s
and City’s involved
The County’s and City’s will then contract with the Joint
Development Authority to administer the project
The Joint Development Authority will enter into contracts for
the construction, operation, and maintenance of the toll road
The Counties can contract for the operation and maintenance of the
road for up to 50 years. At the expiration of the O & M contract the
ownership of the road remains with the jurisdictions.
Meetings with Proposed Partners ‐ Complete
Creation of Joint Development Authority – Within next 90 days
Project Design ‐ 2011‐2014 (Concept is complete)
Environmental Permitting ‐ 2011‐2013
Right‐of‐Way Acquisition ‐ 2014‐2015
Construction ‐ Begin 2016
Road Open to Traffic in 2019
This project is Economic Development
Will support Georgia’s economic growth and
competitiveness
Will enhance growth opportunity in freight and logistics
Will greatly increase mobility and access to the Interstate
System throughout the region
Will optimize throughput of people and goods, thus
improving air quality
The Alternative