City of Dunwoody meets with GDOT to review issues concerning improvements along the I-285 Corridor, requests Peachtree Industrial direct access to 285 express managed lanes.

March 2022 - GDOT response to City of Dunwoody Inquiries.

 I-285 is being revitalized long term with expansion, express lanes, bridge replacements and possible Bus Rapid Transit but as this is a series of long term projects that will be negatively affecting traffic flow n Dunwoody or many years; the Mayor and the City Council are involved to attempt to smooth the process but more importantly ensure our thoughts and the community desires are evaluated in final design.

Back in 2020, Mayor Deutsch and I wrote separate letters of concern to GDOT and they replied here.

Now several years later with changes in the funding strategies, the City again raised some of the same points (like a direct connection to PIB from the managed (express) lanes), questions and concerns we have heard for the community as well a request to reconfirm prior GDOT statements that are important to us.

On March 23rd, Public Works Director Michael Smith, Councilman Tom Lambert and myself met with the GDOT management team that is overseeing the Top End I-285 Express Lane project, they answered our questions during our conversation and then they followed up with a detailed reply.

As far as our concern that the main Express Lane heading West will start at Shallowford & 285 in Dunwoody and that without a dedicated express lane entrance at Peachtree Industrial Blvd., local streets in the area will be filled with drivers coming from Gwinnett & Fulton to that dedicated entrance vs taking more direct routes to the heavier traveled PIB.   GDOT explained why they didn't think a seperate entrance was needed and then they admitted that if the financial developer (under the new financing model) sees it as a financial boon to add those drivers into the Express system, then the developer may mandate and pay for the additional entrance.  If I were Gwinnett County, (or the cities of Peachtree Corners, Norcross, Duluth, Johns Creek or Roswell); I too would want the easiest express lane access from PIB, but that might not happen?

Long story short, the Mayor and the Dunwoody City Council are staying active in this long term conversation.