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Deadline for input on massive Ga. 400 project is today

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Transportation is gearing up for some major road projects that will eventually help save you time on your drive.

The construction won’t start until 2022 but it’s important to know that relief is coming, and you can weigh in on the projects.

GDOT Spokesperson Natalie Dale says by 2026, you’ll have the option on Ga. 400 to pay a toll and by-pass the regular lanes all together in about 16 miles of new express lanes from around the North Springs MARTA station all the way into south Forsyth County.

[Ga. 400 could get a makeover to ease traffic congestion]

“Simply adding general purpose lanes does not solve the problem that metro Atlanta has. And this is only one solution to the congestion, but we have seen really positive things in providing that choice,” Dale said.

Much like the express lanes now open on Interstate 75 in the northwest suburbs, the Ga. 400 lanes should save drivers time, for a price.

But they won’t be reversible, with new permanent pavement running both north and south at all hours.

GDOT took input last year from the public and communities along the route that could be impacted by access points or land acquisition.

They’re now seeking comments again and the deadline is the end of the day.

>>> CLICK HERE FOR INPUT<<<

GDOT set up a virtual meeting in the last few weeks on its website to present plans and take input before getting the final go-ahead.

“You can do a virtual open house hearing, all of things on this site that you would have had to go and view and then give us your comments,” Dale said.

Even though this is the last day for the Ga. 400 express lanes, there’s still a couple of weeks left for giving input for express lanes on I-285 entire top of end of the perimeter.

“So long term what would be happening, you could get on the system in DeKalb and follow it all the way across the city without having to exit that express lane. It’s a carefully knit together, carefully planned out that will after each individual project is built, give a seamless system throughout the metro area,” Dale said.

The massive project will cost a total of $11 billion.