Georgia 400 toll extension

Hey y'all,

I know that I haven't posted in awhile, but here I am, back again. Today, GSRTA (Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority) voted to extend the tolls on Georgia's only toll road -- State Route 400, which connects the Buckhead community as well as north Fulton County with the north Georgia mountains. Planning for the portion of Georgia 400 between I-285 and its terminus at S.R. 60 (Dahlonega) began in 1954, and was dedicated in 1971. The southern extension between I-85 and I-285 was opened in 1993, with a toll of $0.50 for 2-axle vehicles.

We, as the Georgia taxpayers, were promised that the tolls would be removed from this road when the bonds were paid off, which would've been next summer (2011); however, the tolls will be extended to 2020. When the bonds are paid off next year, SRTA will have over $40 million dollars in their reserves, which could/should go toward building the missing link at the Ga. 400/I-85 interchange. There's no direct connection from I-85 South to Georgia 400 North; nor is there a direct connection from Georgia 400 South to I-85 North. Motorists have to navigate a confusing/congested route: Sidney Marcus Boulevard, Cheshire Bridge/Lenox roads and Buford Highway. Here's a diagram of the preliminary plans on how the interchange could look (CLICK HERE). Also, there's the cost of tearing down the toll plaza, if the tolls were ever gotten rid of. Also, the Ga. 400/I-285 interchange is antiquated and is one of the most dangerous interchanges in the state. Traffic from I-285 East to Georgia 400 North has to merge left to right... with a very short taper (CLICK HERE). 

In short, I'm disappointed that our elected officials didn't keep their promise to remove the tolls from 400 when the bonds are to be paid off next year; however, if they utilize all of the monies in their (SRTA's) reserves and those collected until/into 2020 to build that missing link, knock down the toll plaza and revamp the Ga. 400/I-285 interchange, I'm supportive of this decision.

Georgia 400 Tolls Extended Until 2020
(Courtesy of ajc.com)