Starting next week, commuters on I-85 in north Georgia and metro Atlanta will see a change in the tolls they're paying on the interstate express lanes
The State Road and Tollway (SRTA) voted earlier this month to eliminate the maximum tolls on Georgia express lanes. The toll rates will become standardized,
SRTA officials repealed restrictions on toll charges, previously set at a maximum of $13.95 to drive the I-85 lanes in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. It also repealed the 90-cent-per-mile maximum on the I-75 South Metro Express Lanes in Clayton and Henry counties.
In addition, motorists will be charged a minimum of 10-cents per mile to use the lanes, although during periods of low demand, the per-mile toll may be replaced with a 50-cent total fee, no matter how many miles are traveled.
SRTA Executive Director Chris Tomlinson told Georgia News Network that the new toll structure will hold true for future express lanes now under development.
"We have our engineering staff looking at historical data looking back to 2011 on the lane," Tomlinson said. "It's an effort to find what is effective to mangage demand and usage of the lanes."
The new policy is effective on Monday, August 20.
