The Georgia Department Of Transportation Proposes A Plan To Add Express Toll Lanes To I-285 — Here’s How To Give Them Your Input

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The Georgia Department of Transportation is seeking public opinion on a new proposal that could make everyone’s commute home a little bit breezier. If you’ve ever driven in Atlanta, then you know how insanely frustrating traffic can be, especially around rush hours (which start earlier and earlier every day, it seems). GDOT might have the solution: they’ve proposed a new express toll lane system for I-285… and they want to hear your input.

Why does GDOT want to build express toll lanes?

The short answer: solve our ever-present traffic issue in the city.

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation,

The proposed I-285 Westside Express Lanes project aims to improve mobility and ease congestion by adding two optional, barrier-separated express lanes in each direction adjacent to the existing lanes on an approximately 10-mile section of I-285 between Mt. Wilkinson Parkway (south of the I-75 interchange) in Cobb County to Benjamin E. Mays Drive (south of the I-20 interchange) in Fulton County.

The proposed I-285 Westside Express Lanes project also aims to enhance:

• travel-time reliability
• increase travel options for motorists and transit users
• improve safety along I-285 between Benjamin E. Mays Drive in Fulton County and Mt. Wilkinson Parkway in Cobb County

How much would the toll lanes cost?

We don’t have exact details yet, but according to WSB-TV,

The State Road and Tollway Authority, which manages pricing on Georgia’s express lanes, has set a minimum toll of 10 cents per mile, with a minimum charge of 50 cents per trip during low-demand periods.

How do I give my input on the proposed express lanes?

There are a couple ways to tell GDOT how you feel:

• Fill out an online comment card, here
• Call the project hotline at (404) 474-8225 and leave a message with your comments
• Email your comments to westsideexpresslanes@dot.ga.gov
• Mail written to:
  • Georgia Department of Transportation
    Attention: Amber Phillips, State Environmental Administrator
    600 West Peachtree Street, NE – 16th Floor
    Atlanta, GA 30308

Comments will be accepted now through October 20, 2025.

So what do you think, Atlanta? Could express toll lanes help the traffic in the city? Your voice matters!