BUFORD - In an effort to relieve traffic congestion, the Georgia Department of Transportation is planning to add reversible lanes on sections of all local interstates as they pass through Cobb.

If the lanes become reality, which is expected, construction could start next summer and take three years to complete, said Earl Mahfuz, Public Private Partnershi program director for the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The reversible lanes, which would be used to mitigate rush-hour traffic by changing direction to meet demand, would be the first on interstates in Georgia, Cobb's Transportation Director Faye DiMassimo said. Chairman Sam Olens said motorists will be able to merge onto the lanes at limited access points along the interstate. When lanes change directions, access points to enter the lanes in the opposite direction would be barricaded.

Olens also said the lanes would be HOV/HOT, where riders would be required to place a small scanner in the upper corners of their windshields. Sensors would be set up to track the mileage of the cars riding in the new lanes. Those riding in the lanes with three or more passengers would turn their scanners off, and can ride in the lanes free of charge. Those with fewer than three would turn the scanners on and be charged a fee per mile, which would be displayed at the access points so drivers can know ahead of time what they will be charged.

Mahfuz presented county commissioners and department leaders with a fast-track plan to add the reversible lanes to interstates 75, 575, 285 and 20 during Thursday's county retreat at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

"This is huge," Olens said. "There has been talk, but I am confident things will finally happen. The project grew to a $4 billion plan, but has been cut back drastically so it's feasible, and looks like it's going to forward and will happen."

The state DOT is looking at two separate projects. The first, which is expected to cost about $1.1 billion, would create two reversible HOV/HOT lanes in between the existing north and south lanes on I-75 between I-285 and I-575. Once the new lanes reach I-575, they split. One lane is proposed to continue up I-75 to Hickory Grove Road near Acworth and another would continue up I-575 to Sixes Road.

Access points are proposed along I-75 at Terrell Mill Road, Roswell Road, the Big Shanty Connector and Hickory Grove Road. Points along I-575 are proposed at Big Shanty Road, Shallowford Road, Dupree Road and Sixes Road.

Since the lanes are reversible, Olens said they will open to cars driving south in the mornings and to those traveling north in the afternoons.

Mahfuz said traffic issues during construction will be minimal to non-existent as they are being constructed in between the existing north and south lanes.

The second project, expected to cost $900 million, will add lanes along I-285 and I-20. They are planned to be constructed almost simultaneously with the I-75 and I-575 project.

The second project includes two reversible lanes along I-285 between I-75 North and I-20 West and along I-20 West between I-285 and State Route 6. Access points are proposed along I-285 at Cumberland Boulevard, Mt. Wilkinson Parkway, Orchard Road and south of Bolton Road, while points along I-20 West are proposed at the Chattahoochee River, Factory Shoals Road and SR 6.

Olens said the county was chosen for what expects to be a $2 billion project because the county had performed prior work and plans for the project, which allowed P3 to easily go forward with steps to bring the project to fruition.

Olens said the second project will be a significant benefit for those traveling from I-285 onto I-20.

"20 at 285 is one of the worst bottlenecks in the state, so this would do wonders for that area especially. The scope of these projects is unprecedented for what we could do for the county," Olens said.

DiMassimo said, "I'm reasonably confident this will all come together. P3 is very aggressive once it starts on a project, so it doesn't surprise me that everything is being streamlined. And if this does come together and happen, it will have a major impact on the county and make it more attractive to businesses and residents. It would just do incredible things for the Cobb economy."

A similar project along Georgia 400 is also being looked at, Mahfuz said.

"The idea is to connect all the dots," Mahfuz said. "And to keep the projects within six months of each other in closings. And, once everything is completed, you can start looking at other tier levels for this, possibly for a light rail system to develop within those lanes."

Olens said he is very much in favor of a light rail system along Highway 41 because of the business and economic development that would occur with a new rail system in the area. He said it would make the biggest impact if it runs from Cumberland Boulevard to Kennesaw State University.

"People don't shop and eat along 75, but they do along 41, and like many older four-lane highways, it really needs some redevelopment," Olens said. "I've had at least three large, Fortune 500 companies who were coming to Georgia and said they wouldn't even consider Cobb County because there was no rail system. The bus system isn't an attraction, and I was specifically told that that was the sole reason Cobb wasn't considered. These are large companies, where salaries start at $40,000 or $75,000. We have educated people here, and as we're looking to bring more high-tech, expensive companies to our county, that's never going to happen without a rail system."