Last week I gave you some basic facts about the upcoming I-85 express lanes through Gwinnett and Dekalb counties. Hopefully that column answered most of the basic questions you had about the project and what it will mean to you, the commuter. In the week since, I have received a ton of emails both criticizing the project and asking me my opinion of it's future success.
I personally think it's a great idea, and here's why.
Options: I want to have as many commuting options as possible. Whether it's mass transit, car pooling, tele-commuting or a "pay" lane of travel, in my opinion, the more options, the better.
Traffic relief: Right now the HOV lane on I-85 (and most interstates) is underutilized. By changing the HOV lane to an express HOT lane I think we will be able to get more people in that lane, which in turn should make things easier in the other travel lanes. History is on the side of the express lanes.
Greater reward for carpoolers: I got a lot of angry emails from folks who are currently in two person car pools. They are quite mad that they won't be able to use the new express lane for free. I understand that it might seem unfair, but even a two person car pool is doing better than the solo driver. Gas costs, car maintenance and actual driving are cut in half in a two person car pool. If you can add a third person, those costs are cut 66 percent. And don't forget, two person car pools can still use the express lane if they want, and with the costs split between two people, it will be 50 percent cheaper than the solo driver. Plus, if you are already in a two person car pool, you know the benefits, and you are more likely to go and try and find a third to extend those benefits even further. I really see this project as a huge win for current carpoolers.
The "I absolutely, positively can't be late" factor: Let's face it, some drives are more important than others. On any random Monday when you get stuck in traffic it might be no big deal if you get to the office 15 minutes late. But there other times where you can't afford that 15 minutes. Big meetings, heading to the airport to catch a flight, important doctors appointment, court appearance, etc... Sometimes you would pay to get there on time. The express lanes will allow this breathing room. In Minneapolis and Seattle where HOT lanes are used, speeds of 50 mph are maintained over 95 percent of the time. That provides some serious peace of mind when you absolutely, positively need to get somewhere on time.
History: In cities where the express HOT lanes are used, they have been very successful. In San Diego there was a 50 percent increase in the number of carpoolers in the eight years after the express lanes were introduced.
Get on the bus, Gus: Gwinnett County already has a very successful transit bus system that runs the I-85 corridor. The new express lane project will help develop an even bigger bus system including more park and ride lots and more park and ride stations. The more people that take the bus, the lighter the traffic on I-85 will get.
I understand the trepidation felt by I-85 commuters. But I truly believe that the new express lane system on I-85 is going to be a success. So much so, I wouldn't be surprised to see it spread to other interstates. Are you ready Cobb County?
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