Photos: First rush hour after GA 400 tolls closed

Metro Atlanta

Photos: First rush hour after GA 400 tolls closed

The first commute without the Ga 400 tolls.

Rerouted traffic on the now toll-free GA 400 was flowing smoothly Monday morning as commuters swung around the barricaded toll plaza and were funneled through three of the old Cruise Card lanes with apparent ease, AJC staff writer Andria Simmons reports. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM

After tolls were eliminated on Georgia 400, traffic has increased and speeds at rush hour are slower, according to traffic counts. This photo was taken on the first morning after tolls were eliminated in November 2013. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM

The speed limit through the construction zone will stay at 45 mph while crews work to remove the toll plaza structure. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM

No heavy demolition work is expected to take place during the winter holidays, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. In January, workers will begin demolition on the toll booths, canopy, and reeinforcement structure, as well as the filling in of the tunnel stairwells with cement. The $4.5-million project will be completed in the fall of 2014, AJC staff writer Andria Simmons reports. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM

Once the project is finished, the speed limit return to its former level of 55 mph. Here's how the scene looked Monday morning. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM

Toll-taking officially ceased just after 11 a.m. Friday following brief remarks by Gov. Nathan Deal at the site. In July 2012, Deal announced that the state would pay off its outstanding bond debt and end tolls on Ga. 400 by December 2013. Here's the scene at the plaza on Monday, Nov. 25, 2013. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM

The scene at morning rush hour at the Ga 400 tolls. The tolls were closed on Friday after 20 years. Demolition of the toll will begin in January. Drivers can now use three lanes in each direction for free. However, the speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph through the construction zone while the work is in progress, and traffic will be rerouted through the Cruise Card lanes. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM

The scene at morning rush hour at the Ga 400 tolls. The tolls were closed on Friday after 20 years. Demolition of the toll will begin in January. Drivers can now use three lanes in each direction for free. However, the speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph through the construction zone while the work is in progress, and traffic will be rerouted through the Cruise Card lanes. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM

The scene at morning rush hour at the Ga 400 tolls. The tolls were closed on Friday after 20 years. Demolition of the toll will begin in January. Drivers can now use three lanes in each direction for free. However, the speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph through the construction zone while the work is in progress, and traffic will be rerouted through the Cruise Card lanes. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM

The scene at morning rush hour at the Ga 400 tolls. The tolls were closed on Friday after 20 years. Demolition of the toll will begin in January. Drivers can now use three lanes in each direction for free. However, the speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph through the construction zone while the work is in progress, and traffic will be rerouted through the Cruise Card lanes. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM

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Rerouted traffic on the now toll-free GA 400 was flowing smoothly Monday morning as commuters swung around the barricaded toll plaza and were funneled through three of the old Cruise Card lanes with apparent ease, AJC staff writer Andria Simmons reports. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM

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