The I-285 Eastside Express Lane project, scheduled to begin construction in 2022, is in the final stages of planning by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The optional express lanes are part of the larger Georgia Express Lanes system, and are designed to ease traffic flow on Georgia’s interstates.
Ensuring that this project benefits property owners, and those who work in the area, is our primary goal. In a partnership with the City of Tucker and DeKalb County we have submitted a request to GDOT for a change to the plan that will make this possible. Together we are requesting that the exit at Northlake Parkway be converted from general purpose to full express lane access.
The current express lane design calls for no access points along I-285 for a six-mile stretch starting north of Henderson Road and ending south of North Decatur Road, bypassing Tucker completely. In order for those in and around the CID to connect to the top end and to the airport more effectively, we need full express lane access from a dedicated ramp.
The leadership team and engineers at GDOT have received our request with enthusiasm. They are in process of examining the conditions at Northlake Parkway and the likelihood that a change can be made is high. Materials on the proposed change were presented at each of the five Public Information Open House meetings held in June.
Three options for the interchange provided by GDOT are shown below (select image for a larger image):
Options for Northlake Pkwy Access
The public response to the entire Eastside Express Lanes project, thus far has been positive. Hundreds attended open house meetings and many who had questions and concerns left with more confidence in the project.
It is unusual to have two exits so close together, 0.3 miles apart, but it turns out to be a perfect fit to keep Lavista Road general access and convert Northlake Parkway, this time in both directions north and south, to an express lane access point.
To show your support for full express lane access at Northlake Parkway, please fill out the online comment card and state that you want “full express lane access at Northlake Parkway“. Without direct access to the express lanes the CID and the City of Tucker will be bypassed. The deadline for public feedback is July 15, 2019.