Northwest Corridor (NWC) Express Lanes
The Georgia Department of Transportation’s Northwest Corridor Express Lanes Project this week received the National Award of Merit (Transportation) from the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). DBIA’s National Project/Team awards are given annually to projects that exemplify the principles of the Design-Build Done Right® best practices.
“Georgia DOT is honored to receive this award,” Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry said. “The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes Project was a major undertaking that spanned several years and involved the support and efforts of many organizations and stakeholders.
McMurry said the project offers a glimpse into the future of Georgia’s transportation network, which includes a connected system of express lanes in metropolitan Atlanta.
“We view this project as one of the most transformative projects in state history, enhancing both mobility and transportation choice for Georgia motorists. It is also a leading example of public-private partnership at work to accelerate construction and reduce impacts.”
The Northwest Express lanes opened in September 2018, and extend along I-75 and I-575 in Cobb and Cherokee counties. They include 29.7 miles of priced reversible express lanes. In just 10 months of operation, more than six million trips have been registered posting travel speeds 30 percent faster than the general purpose lanes. As a result, rush hour has been reduced by more than one hour for both the morning and evening commutes.
Users of the general purpose lanes lanes have also benefited. Prior to its opening, the average speed on I-75 northbound between I-285 and I-575 at rush hour’s peak was 20 mph.
Following its opening In April 2019, the average speed doubled at 40 mph. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, tailpipe exhaust is expected to be reduced by about 23.8 tons a year as 2.87 billion gallons of fuel are saved by reducing the waste of engines idling in traffic congestion.
