Big changes could be coming to one of metro Atlanta’s busiest highways, and state officials want to hear from you before they happen.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is proposing a major project to add two barrier-separated express toll lanes in each direction along a 10-mile stretch of I-285’s west side, from Mt. Wilkinson Parkway in Cobb County to Benjamin E. Mays Drive in Fulton County.
The new lanes would be part of a public-private partnership, meaning a private company would help design, build, and operate them in exchange for collecting toll revenue. Officials say the project is designed to reduce congestion, improve travel times, and make commuting more reliable on one of Atlanta’s most heavily traveled corridors.
Community Concerns
While GDOT says the express lanes would ease traffic, many residents have raised concerns about:
Construction impacts - People are concerned about the potential disruptions during the lengthy build.
Noise increases - GDOT is conducting studies and considering noise barriers.
Property impacts - land acquisition may affect nearby homes or businesses.
Equity issues - critics worry toll lanes benefit wealthier drivers most.
How to Make Your Voice Heard
Public input is open now through October 20, 2025, and GDOT is encouraging residents to weigh in. Comments can be submitted online, by email, phone, or mail. A full environmental report and public hearing are expected in late 2026 before construction plans move forward.
Written comments submitted online at i285westsideexpresslanes-gdot.hub.arcgis.com, emailed to westsideexpresslanes@ga.dot.gov, or phoned in to the project hotline at (404) 474-8225.
Comments can also be mailed to Amber Phillips, Georgia DOT’s State Environmental Administrator, at 600 West Peachtree Street NE, 16th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30308. For more information, residents can visit i285westsideexpresslanes-gdot.hub.arcgis.com.
With traffic on I-285 continuing to grow, state officials say the express lanes could help keep Atlanta moving, but they want feedback from the people who drive it every day before any final decisions are made.