New Ramp Meters at Mall of Georgia Exit to Be Activated Oct. 10

New meters on the I-85 entrance ramps at exit 115 (Mall of Georgia exit) will begin operation on Wednesday, Oct. 10.

The meters will operate at different times of the day depending on traffic patterns, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

The system includes lights which cycle from red to green every 3-5 seconds, allowing one vehicle at a time to merge onto the interstate.  

“We’ll monitor these new ramp meters very carefully. If traffic starts to back up on the ramp, sensors will speed up the meters to allow more vehicles to move through. If our cameras show traffic spilling out onto the surface streets, we can turn them off completely,” Georgia DOT Traffic Engineer Scott Zehngraff said in a released statement.

The new meters are among the 170 ramp meters currently in operation throughout the metro area. According to the GDOT, "Ramp meters reduce average rush-hour commute times. Other benefits include reductions in fuel consumption, merging accidents, and vehicle emissions."

The GDOT cautions there will be a learning curve period as motorists adjust to the new meters.

“Please bear with us, and keep in mind that there is no one ‘silver bullet’ solution to eliminate congestion. Ramp meters are just one of several tools that can help fight congestion,” Zehngraff added.

Have you traveled in areas that use the ramp meters? Do you believe they will help at the I-85/Mall of Georgia exit? Let us know in the comments.