Politics & Government

Ga. 400 Toll Ends on Nov. 22

The first phase of a four-phase demolition project started on Oct. 25. SRTA Executive Director Christopher Tomlinson has said the the Ga. 400 corridor has had an economic impact on North Fulton communities, including Sandy Springs.

Provided by the State Road and Tollway Authority

The State Road and Tollway Authority announced Friday that the Ga. 400 tolls will officially end Friday, Nov. 22, weather permitting. Toll collection is scheduled to end after rush hour to lessen the impact on the Ga. 400 commute. 

In July 2012, Governor Nathan Deal announced that the state would pay off its bond debt and end tolls on Ga. 400 by December 2013. Southeastern Site Development, Inc., of Newnan, has been contracted for the construction component of the project and will be managed through the Georgia Department of Transportation.

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“The ending of Ga. 400’s tolls fulfills a promise made to commuters,” said SRTA Executive Director Christopher Tomlinson, in the announcement. “Enough tolls have been collected to pay for the original construction of the road and the new connector ramps to I-85, plus other needed projects in the Ga. 400 corridor." 

GDOT Commissioner Keith Golden said ending toll collections on a Friday evening will give motorists the weekend to acclimate to the new traffic pattern. 

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“Still, we urge commuters the following Monday morning to be particularly cautious while driving through the plaza area,” he added. 

The first phase of a four-phase demolition project began on Oct. 25, with restriping in the Peach Pass electronic toll lanes and modification/removal of redundant “toll” signage. 

In Phase II, preparation for no tolling continues with the completion of restriping and the installation of concrete barriers between the Peach Pass and cash lanes in anticipation of the eventual shifting of traffic into the electronic lanes when toll collection ends. 

Once tolls end and traffic is shifted in Phase III, no heavy demolition work is expected to take place during the winter holidays. 

Phase IV will begin in January 2014 and will include removal of plaza toll booths, the canopy, as well as reinforcement and filling of the tunnel stairwells.

The demolition project will be completed in the fall of 2014.


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