GA 400 Toll Project Receives Transportation Achievement Award

Staff Report

The State Road and Tollway Authority was recently honored with the Institute of Transportation Engineers’ Transportation Achievement Award for Operations for the planning and communications associated with the ending of tolls on S.R. 400.

In June 2014, the project also won the Public Relations Society of America’s Silver Anvil Award of Excellence for media observances in government.

The ITE Transportation Achievement Awards recognize excellence in the concepts, programs or projects that have a significant positive impact on transportation planning, design or operations.

SRTA received accolades for meeting safety goals and communicating the demolition process in advance of and during the GA 400 Toll Closure project. The Silver Anvil is the public relations industry’s most distinguished honor recognizing the very best in the profession.

“We are extremely proud to have the hard work and attention to detail of our SRTA team recognized by these international organizations,” said SRTA Executive Director Christopher Tomlinson. “Being honored by transportation engineering and communications professionals is gratifying. But the safe transition of GA 400 from tolled roadway to construction zone with no accidents and a well-informed driving public was our greatest achievement.”

Since the GA 400 Toll Plaza closure and end of toll collection on Nov. 22, 2013, construction crews have reinforced and filled in the plaza tunnel stairwells and removed the toll booths and plaza canopy.

This week, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) announced that GA 400 traffic will shift to its final and permanent configuration this weekend, signaling the completion of the project and the unobstructed opening of the roadway.

Weather permitting, the shift will occur over the span of two overnights, weather permitting. Northbound traffic will be shifted starting at 10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5, with work extending into the early hours of Saturday morning.

At 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, the southbound shift will begin. The shift will occur north of the Lenox Road interchange.

Motorists are encouraged to slow down and proceed through the areas with caution while the shift is in effect.

(Photo credit: State Road and Tollway Authority)