Dear Member,

Your input is being sought on projects funded by tolls on the Georgia 400. Four public hearings are scheduled during the next month.

In Atlanta, tolls on the Georgia 400 were to have been removed next year. But even though the roadway itself is paid off, the tolls will remain in place for another 10 years. The State Road and Tollway Authority sold the state on a list of a dozen projects to be funded by what are referred to as “new” tolls and recently opened up a public comment period on those projects.

The Tollway Authority and the state DOT intend on carrying out the list of a dozen improvement projects after receiving a favorable vote in September by the State Transportation Board to extend the GA400 tolls by 10 years.

Notably, the agency wants to build new ramps at the GA400/Interstate 85 interchange. Without toll revenue, officials say it would be years or even decades before their list of $67 million worth of projects could get done.

The Tollway Authority began holding public meetings Tuesday, Dec. 7. The four meetings that remain are scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. as follows:

• Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Pinecrest Academy, 955 Peachtree Pkwy, Cumming, GA 30041;
• Monday, Dec. 20, at Second Ponce De Leon Baptist Church, 2715 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305;
• Wednesday, Jan. 5, at the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, 11605 Haynes Bridge Road, Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30009; and
• Thursday, Jan. 6, at Crowne Plaza Ravinia, 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30346

Written comments should be addressed to GA400 Improvement Projects, P.O. Box 7278, Atlanta, GA 30357. The deadline to submit comments is Jan. 7.

For a list of projects, visit the State Road and Tollway Authority’s website.