SRTA Board Sets Uniform Toll Pricing Rules for All Georgia Express Lanes

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Thursday, August 2nd, 2018

The State Road and Tollway Authority’s Board of Directors approved uniform toll rate pricing rules that apply to all Georgia Express Lanes. The minimum toll rate will be $0.10 per mile for all express lanes. Customers can also expect toll rates above the $0.10 per mile minimum to vary based on travel conditions at each express lane facility rather than a predetermined max rate. During periods of very low demand, per mile toll rates on an express lane facility may be replaced with a fixed toll of $0.50 per trip, regardless of the length of the trip.
    
“For the ease of customer use and a consistent customer experience on Georgia Express Lanes, we have established a uniform approach to toll rate pricing,” Chris Tomlinson, SRTA Executive Director, said. “The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes join the I-85 Express Lanes and the I-75 South Metro Express Lanes, as well as future tolled express lane projects in improving the commuting experience of Georgia residents and others who drive in our state. We encourage commuters in the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes to open a Peach Pass account today so they can take advantage of the lanes once they open.’
 
The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes are reversible toll lanes that run along I-75 and I-575 in Cobb and Cherokee counties. The 29.7 miles of dynamically priced lanes are separated from the general purposes lanes by an elevated bridge or concrete barrier and a series of gates, offering the highest level of safety. These lanes will add new highway capacity in addition to the existing general-purpose lanes.  The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes will flow toward Atlanta during the morning commute and away from Atlanta during the evening commute. The new Express Lanes are scheduled to open in late summer.
 
The actual toll charge that a customer traveling on the Georgia Express Lanes will pay will be set using dynamic pricing methodology. Technology allows the tolls to adjust based on demand and traffic conditions in the corridor in order to maintain free-flow travel and reliable trips through the lanes. Toll prices will be clearly displayed on overhead highway signs along the corridor so that motorists will know the price before entering the lanes.