The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is seeking input during the public comment period on the proposed I-285 Top End Express Lanes Project (P.I. No. 0001758) in Cobb, Fulton, and DeKalb counties. The express lanes project will improve mobility, provide more reliable trip times, and enhance transit operations and performance across the corridor.

The northern segment of I-285 is one of the most heavily traveled and congested interstate highways in America. The proposed I-285 Top End Express Lanes Project focuses on adding two new, barrier-separated express lanes in both directions on I-285 between South Atlanta Road and Henderson Road, as well on State Route (SR) 400 from south of the Glenridge Connector to the vicinity of the North Springs Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Station. Express lanes are considered transit lanes, support existing transit operations in the corridor and the inclusion of future transit opportunities for the advancement of Express Lanes Transit (ELT) in the region.

From now through Monday, July 29, the public may review and submit feedback on the proposed project’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS), proposed mitigation measures, and updated concept layouts illustrating features of the Preferred Alternative. To learn more about the proposed project and provide official input, visit: https://i285topendexpresslanes-gdot.hub.arcgis.com/.

Georgia DOT will host a series of in-person Public Hearing Open House (PHOH) meetings throughout the project corridor during the public comment period:

• Doraville – Spring Hall Event Center: July 8, 2024, 4-7 p.m.
• Smyrna – Campbell Middle School: July 10, 2024, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Dunwoody – Dunwoody City Hall: July 16, 2024, 4-7 p.m.
• Sandy Springs – City Springs: July 18, 2024, 4-7 p.m.

The in-person PHOH meetings will include displays summarizing analyses and project information included in the Draft EIS, an updated project visualization video, updated concept layouts illustrating project design features, and environmental impact findings and proposed mitigation plan. The in-person PHOH will be informal, and the public is invited to attend anytime during the three-hour period. There will be no formal presentation, but project subject matter experts will be available to answer any questions. PHOH events will include Spanish materials and additional translation support as needed.

Materials and displays prepared for the in-person open house events are also available on the project website’s virtual meeting room published on the project website: https://tinyurl.com/285GEL-VMR-PHOH

Additionally, the project team will host two, live, virtual Question and Answer (Q&A) sessions allowing attendees to participate in a real-time discussion with the project team. For the virtual event, the project team will share a brief presentation, followed by a Q&A session with attendees and participating project staff. On the day of the live, virtual events, access information details will be added to the project web page. Recordings of the virtual events will publish on the web site as well.

• July 9, 2024, 5-7 p.m.
• July 17, 2024, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

For the full schedule of the PHOH events, please visit Georgia DOT project website at https://i285topendexpresslanes-gdot.hub.arcgis.com/

Each in-person open house event site is accessible to persons with disabilities. Accommodations for people with disabilities can be arranged with advance notice. To request materials in accessible formats or arrange accommodations for people with disabilities, please contact the Georgia DOT District 7 Planning & Programming Coordinator, Joshua Higgins, at (770) 216-3896.

Comments about the proposed project will be accepted until Monday, July 29, 2024. There are several ways the public can submit comments:

1. Leave a written comment or speak to a court reporter at the in-person PHOH sessions.
2. Complete the online comment form located on the project website: https://i285topendexpresslanes-gdot.hub.arcgis.com/.
3. Email comments to the project email address: topendexpresslanes@dot.ga.gov.
4. Dial the project hotline at (404) 978-7490 to leave a recorded comment (please provide name and contact information).
5. Mail written comments to the Georgia Department of Transportation; Attention: Eric Duff, State Environmental Administrator, 600 West Peachtree Street, NW – 16^th Floor, Atlanta, Ga., 30308.

In addition to reviewing PHOH displays at the in-person open house and on the project website, printed versions will be available for 10 days following the last in-person event at the Georgia DOT District 7 Metro Atlanta Office at 5025 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341.

The Draft EIS will be available for viewing during the comment period until July 29, 2024, at the following locations: 3733 Chamblee Tucker Road, Chamblee GA 30341; 395 Mount Vernon Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30328; and 100 Village Green Cir SE, Smyrna, GA 30080.