Topped Out

I was watching NBC local news last night and they mentioned that with the increasing gas prices many people are turning to public transportation. The metro counties (Gwinnett being the one exception) have all had increased ridership this year by approximately 14%. I have no documentation to back this up so I am going on the word of the news station. Either way, this is helping put less cars on the road.

Sorry, Ryan, but your argument does not make sense to me. People live in suburbia because they are selfish? I live in suburbia because my work moved out here from inside the perimeter. I live close so I don't have to deal with traffic that much. I never thought of myself as being selfish for moving.

How exactly did it rip up the intown communities? GA 400 helped spur the growth that Buckhead is currently experiencing. All of these towers under construction and under proposal are being built in the vicinity of the Lenox/Buckhead exit. Also, what is wrong with furthering the growth of suburbia outside 285?

Possibly because that is not the only factor that goes into making their decision. Maybe they want to be closer to family that lives outside the perimeter; maybe their job takes them out there (like in my case). Property is generally cheaper outside the perimeter as well (you get more land for your money). There are countless factors other than public transporation being available that go into making a decision as to where to live.

I'm not sure why this would be assumed. There may be those who do not favor public transportation (I'm not sure why), but in general when public opinion polls are conducted, most say that if public transportation was made available in their area that the public would utilize it. The car will always be around however since public transportation to and from Atlanta from outside the perimeter is just not there.

There is no denying that building more lanes on established freeways is not the answer to solving the traffic problem. And I can't tell you how many times I get stopped by every traffic light on a street because of how poorly timed the lights are (this is the most irritating thing in my mind). But since Marta does not extend passed North Springs station or Doraville, roads unfortunately are the only answer to those traveling into the city from outside the perimeter. Sprawl is inevitable. It can be found in every major city. And maybe the govenment didn't think that Atlanta would grow to the size it is now. Either way, since public transportation is not available to those outside the perimeter, the only travel choice is to drive.

You can't be serious. Surface streets like Roswell Road, Peachtree Industrial and Buford Highway all have heavy volume at rush hour. If GA 400 didn't exist, the people living to the north of the perimeter wouldn't get home until midnight. Granted, PIB and Buford Highway are not as bad at rush hour, but Roswell Road is a total disaster with all of the traffic lights.

Wow. Terminus is just a total monster of a building. Great pics, Eric! Thanks for sharing.

JB04, cool pic. I love midtown with Symphony Tower in the skyline.

I like being able to see Midtown from the sky like that. That view also shows the areas in Midtown where future infill could go and spruce up the skyline.

IDlover, this is a really cool picture. Thanks for posting it. And Hammett, the picture of the King & the Queen looks great.

Cool aquarium shot, IC. I knew that there was a mural painted in front of the aquarium and future coke museum but I never knew what it looked like.

IC, you take incredible pictures. Please keep 'em coming!