Suwanee Speaks

Reversible Lanes on I-85: What Do You Think?

Government is considering the idea for traffic relief.

Updated 1:00 p.m., Dec. 30, 2011 Several media stories have appeared recently about the possibility of reversible lanes being used on I-85. First, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle floated the idea, and now transportation officials confirm that the matter has been part of a 2-year-long study. Cagle said he wants to add movable barriers to the interstate, which would convert northbound lanes into southbound for the morning commute. The flow would reverse in the evenings, adding more capacity during rush hour. Transportation officials said the idea is  a component of a look at an extension to Ronald Reagan Parkway, which could be funded by tolls. "The (Ronald Reagan Parkway) feasibility study has determined that a direct connection to I-85 is complex …

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I-85/McGinnis Ferry Road Work Progressing in Suwanee

New lanes have been completed in some areas.

Suwanee commuters already are benefiting from the McGinnis Ferry Road project at Interstate 85. Lanes of traffic are open for motorists on Burnette Road heading toward Satellite Boulevard. And work continues on new lanes on Old Peachtree Road near Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. The project, which involves more than $20 million in land deals and construction costs, is scheduled to be completed in September. Federal stimulus funds also were used. The Georgia Department of Transportation work also involves extending McGinnis Ferry Road over I-85 via a four-lane bridge, which will connect Satellite Boulevard with such streets as Gwinco Boulevard and provide a quicker route to cities such as Lawrenceville.

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Suwanee Traffic To Shift on Old Peachtree Road

The latest work, scheduled to be completed Tuesday, is part of the McGinnis Ferry Road project.

Traffic will be shifted this week on Old Peachtree Road in Suwanee. The work is part of the $20.4 million McGinnis Ferry Road project, which is expected to be completed in September. The shift will happen from  SR 317 (Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road) to Peachtree Trails Drive by Tuesday midafternoon, weather permitting. Two new lanes have been constructed, and the traffic shift will allow workers to remove asphalt from the older lanes and rebuild those lanes. "As those lanes finish, traffic will be split to run in one direction on each side of the median and two lanes will be opened in each direction,” explained state Department of Transportation engineer Randall Davis in a media release. Also, a stop sign will be installed for Old Peachtree …

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HOV/HOT Sign Installation Begins Along I-85

Overnight work will require lane closing and traffic pacing.

As part of the conversion of the existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-85 to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, the Georgia Department of Transportation will begin installing more than 60 signs along the I-85 corridor next week. The work will take place overnights. Traffic pacing may occur during 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. This week, as weather permits, one or two segments of the HOV or inside lanes along the median wall in both directions will be closed. Northbound lane closures will take place between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and southbound closures will occur from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Up to three lanes could be closed after midnight. Traffic will be paced one to three times as needed. Overnight lane closures may occur at the following locations…

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