Interstate 75 signs have been posted for the Atlanta area’s newest toll lanes. Photo: GDOTNew toll lanes opened September 8 on 30 miles of busy Interstate 75 in the Atlanta metro area.
The lanes pass through Cherokee and Cobb counties and are estimated to save drivers 43 minutes on the corridor. The general lanes should also flow better, saving up to 16 minutes, the Georgia Department of Transportation says.
Known as the Northwest Corridor project, the additional express lanes extend from Akers Mill Road to Hickory Grove Road and along I-575 from I-75 to Sixes Road.
Construction on the $834 million project began in 2013.
Traveling the lanes will require a Peach Pass. GDOT says the first 14 days the lanes are open will be toll-free.
The lanes are reversible, operating southbound in the morning and northbound in the evening.
Tolls are based on traffic volume and conditions, but will cost at least 10 cents per mile. During slow traffic, the price could change to 50 cents per trip, no matter the length of the trip, GDOT says.
Tolls are collected electronically and are displayed on digital message signs at the lane entry points.
Two toll lanes were built west of the existing I-75 lanes between I-285 and I-575. Then, one express lane was added along I-75 north to Hickory Grove Road and one along I-575 to Sixes Road. Gov. Nathan Deal officiated at a ceremony September 8 to open the new lanes to the public.
