By Bob Pepalis



GA 400 toll collection will end after the evening rush hour on Friday, Nov. 22, weather permitting, according to the State Road and Tollway Authority.

GA 400 toll collection will end after the evening rush hour on Friday, Nov. 22, weather permitting, according to the State Road and Tollway Authority. "We thought it wise to conclude toll collections on a Friday evening so that motorists will have the entire weekend to become acclimated to the new traffic pattern," Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Keith Golden noted. "Still, we urge commuters the following Monday morning to be particularly cautious while driving through the plaza area."

The toll plaza is now an active construction zone, with a 45-mph speed limit. In July 2012, Gov. Nathan Deal announced that the state would pay off its bond debt and end tolls on GA 400 by December 2013. Southeastern Site Development Inc., of Newnan, has been contracted for the construction component of the project and will be managed through the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The first phase of a four-phase demolition project began on Friday, Oct. 25, with restriping in the Peach Pass electronic toll lanes and modification/removal of redundant "toll" signage. In Phase II, preparation continues with the completion of restriping and the installation of concrete barriers between the Peach Pass and cash lanes in anticipation of the eventual shifting of traffic into the electronic lanes when toll collection ends. Once tolls end and traffic is shifted in Phase III, no heavy demolition work is expected to take place during the winter holidays. Phase IV will begin in January 2014 and will include removal of plaza toll booths, the canopy, as well as reinforcement and filling of the tunnel stairwells.

The demolition project will be completed in the fall of 2014. SRTA Says Keep Your Peach Pass