Back in September, we unveiled a new tool we built and are maintaining here at the ARC: the interactive GDOT project tracker! In today’s post, we will be examining the same dataset used in the tool, albeit with a different visualization technique. We provide three transportation impact layers, and the scale and scope of the various metro GDOT projects will become readily apparent when viewed in aggregate in these layers.
The first map below shows the 11-county metro Atlanta area with major highways and all projects in pre-construction phase. These data are aggregated to the H3 resolution 7 hexagon and show a count of the number of such projects (which have not broken ground yet) located in each hexagon. Areas of the metro with no hexagons do not contain any projects in the GDOT pipeline in pre-construction phase.
Map 1: Pre-Construction Project Transportation Impact Layer
The aggregation above is a powerful way to see where overlapping projects may be present and see the geographic concentration of transportation projects in the GDOT pipeline. While the tracker we linked above will give you detailed information on each project, the above hex map will show you quickly where the action is set to occur. Darker hexagons reflect greater density of projects occurring in that particular geography. Clearly, the I-285 Perimeter and portions of I-75/85 near downtown Atlanta will receive the lion’s share of the road maintenance, resurfacing, widening, and infrastructure construction in the near future. However, you’ll see other “strings” of hexagons radiating out from the major interstate systems around the metro, representing other nodes of transportation work in pre-construction phase.
Map 2: Under Construction Project Transportation Impact Layer
Now, consider the metro projects currently under construction:
Instead of looking at planned GDOT projects, Map 2 shows where the action is happening now. Keep in mind that these projects range from (relatively) minor re-striping efforts to major road widenings involving right-of-way acquisition and bridge repair and construction. With this caveat in mind, we still see that those areas of Atlanta near downtown are where most projects are currently under construction
Map 3: Project Cost (Under Construction)
Finally, we’ll look at the total cost associated with each transportation project and assign a proportional value to the hexagon through which the project passes. If a project passes through multiple hexagons, its total cost is proportionally distributed to each hexagon, and when aggregated, we are able to quickly see where major transportation projects are under construction from a cost perspective. Darker hexagons reflect higher project density in that geography.
As shown above, the I-285 Perimeter and GA-400 North form the epicenter of the more expensive projects under construction; projects of this magnitude often consist of overpass and flyover construction as well as new interchange construction. All transportation projects can be hugely impactful to the communities in which they’re located, but their impact varies based on their scope, the type of improvement, and the degree to which they are disruptive while under construction. Check out the interactive GDOT tracker linked above to dive deeper!
Featured image credit: https://iowadot.gov/modes-travel/roads-highways/major-construction-projects/des-moines-area-interstate-projects