New Akers Mill Ramp: We’re Improving Access to the I-75 Northwest Corridor Express Lanes

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is adding a new reversible ramp to the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes from Akers Mill Road. The ramp will serve as an exit ramp from the express lanes in the morning when the direction of travel is southbound and will serve as an entrance ramp to the express lanes system in the evening when the direction of travel is northbound.

Approximate Schedule

Sunday – Friday:

  • Open Southbound — 1:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Closed for Reversal — 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
  • Open Northbound — 1:30 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Closed for Reversal — 11:00 PM - 1:00 AM

5 Things You Should Know

  1. Travelers must have a Peach Pass or interoperable toll transponder in their vehicle as the toll collection device to access the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes. The toll rates vary based on real-time traffic conditions on the corridor to ensure that the express lanes provide reliable travel times. Advanced signage will display the current toll rate prior to entering the express lanes.

  2. The new express access ramp, which will be the newest of 12 access points for the express lanes, will provide access into Cumberland for over 100,000 daily commuters.

  3. This project improves mobility and the reliability of commutes, facilitating direct, safe access to the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes for daily commuters traveling to and from the Cumberland area, as well as the six Class-A office towers in the Galleria Office Complex.

  4. Travel in the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes are up to 27% (18 mph) faster than the general purpose lanes during peak travel times and have transformed the way residents of Cobb and Cherokee counties commute along I-75 and I-575.

  5. The Atlanta Regional Commission partnered with the Cumberland CID to allocate funding for this project, which will improve access, mobility, and safety in one of the region’s most important economic hubs.

FAQ

To improve access, The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is adding a new reversible ramp to the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes from Akers Mill Road, located between I-75 northbound and I-75 southbound, providing a direct connection to the managed lane system.

The ramp will serve as an exit ramp from the express lanes in the morning when the direction of travel is southbound and will serve as an entrance ramp to the express lanes system in the evening when the direction of travel is northbound.

  • The Akers Mill Ramp will provide safe and direct access into the I-75 Northwest Express Lanes System. Users must have a Peach Pass or interoperable toll transponder in a vehicle as the toll collection
  • Previous access to Northwest Corridor Express Lanes was a slip ramp/merge access point just north of Akers Mill Road.
  • The project begins approximately 400 feet south of the existing Akers Mill Bridge over I-75 and ends approximately 275 feet south of the existing Windy Ridge Parkway bridge over I-75 for a total project mainline length of 0.7 miles.
  • The new access ramp features gates at both the entry and exit point, which will alert drivers when a direction of the express lanes is closed. The ramp will be 24- feet wide for the reversible lanes plus break-down shoulders and will widen to 50 feet at Akers It will include a barrier separated entrance to the northbound managed lanes.

Improves mobility and the reliability of commutes facilitating direct, safe access to the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes for daily commuters traveling to and from the Cumberland area. This new ramp will allow enhanced access to popular destinations for people visiting and help manage flow in and out of the area as the attractions grow and prosper.

Akers Mill project

The new access ramp features gates at both the entry and exit point, which will alert drivers when a direction of the express lanes is closed. The ramp will be 24-feet wide for the reversible lanes plus break-down shoulders and will widen to 50 feet at Akers Mill. It will include a barrier separated entrance to the northbound managed lanes.

All drivers are able to use the express lanes if they register and obtain a Peach Pass. Regardless of the number of occupants in a car (e.g. solo driver, or driver and two passengers, etc.), commuters who wish to access the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes are required to pay a fee. However, registered transit, vanpools, and emergency vehicles are exempt from paying a fee. Clear signage on how to use the system will be displayed along the corridor. Information on obtaining and using the Peach Pass is available at www.PeachPass.com or by calling the Peach Pass Customer Service Center at 1-855-PCH- PASS (724-7277).

The approximate construction cost is $26.5 million. The Atlanta Regional Commission partnered with the Cumberland CID to allocate funding for this project. The collective investment by all of the local, state, and federal funding partners contributes to Atlanta’s Regional economic development making the project extremely impactful to the area.

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