More Georgians Than Ever Using Tollway System

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Georgia’s State Road & Tollway Authority placed fourth in a survey of 31 toll authorities across the country for the highest percentage increase in traffic volume in 2015, according to a new report from the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association.

The National Toll Facilities Usage Analysis found that drivers' use of toll roads increased by 7% between 2014 and 2015 a record-breaking rate of growth that puts tolling usage on pace to double in less than 10 years.

Georgia’s State Road & Tollway Authority placed fourth on the list of 31 toll authorities surveyed across the country with a 19.6% increase in traffic volume in 2015.

Christopher Tomlinson, Executive Director, State Road and Tollway Authority, said “When the I-85 Express Lanes first opened, it took some time for individuals to get comfortable with the new concept of Express Lanes. Today, we have thousands of customers that rely on the express lanes. The growth has been steady and continues to grow. People are finding true value in the I-85 Express Lanes.”

The Analysis was compiled by collecting data from 31 toll-operated facilities across the country in February 2016.

All but one of the 31 toll facilities in the survey reported an increase in traffic volume. About two-thirds (23 of 31) of the toll authorities said they had record-breaking years in 2015--recording the largest traffic volume in their history.

Approximately one-third (10 of 31) of the facilities in the national survey reported double-digit percentage increases. Those with the largest increases include:

• North Carolina Department of Transportation: 25%
• Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority, FL: 25%
• Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, Austin: 23.4%
• Georgia's State Road and Tollway Authority: 19.6%
• Washington State Department of Transportation: 16%
• I-15 Express Lanes, San Diego: 15%
• 495 Express Lanes, Northern VA: 15%
• Northwest Parkway, Broomfield, CO: 13%
• E-470 Public Highway Authority, Aurora, CO: 12.4%
• Central Florida Expressway Authority: 10%