Addendum to Phase I Arch. Survey of Proposed Revive I-285 Top End, Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton Counties: Phase I Archaeological Survey of the GM Plant Advanced Acquisition Parcels, DeKalb Co.

The proposed project would consist of the advanced acquisition of ROW and/or easement from three parcels (Parcels 1, 2 and 3) within the proposed Revive I-285 managed lanes corridor.

The Build Alternative within the Revive I-285 managed lane project is currently being evaluated through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The project stopped at the Draft EIS (DEIS) phase in December of 2013. A formal Public Hearing for the DEIS was not held. However, public input facilitated development of the preferred alternative within the DEIS which is known as Alternative 6a. Alternative 6a consisted of two managed lanes in the westbound and eastbound directions, operational improvements, and the preservation of ROW for a future transit alignment.

This preferred alternative is being revisited as of January 2017. The following project description is representative of Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) current preferred alternative, which is draft and subject to change, as it is vetted through public involvement and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.

The project would consist of a system of combined highway and/or transit enhancements along I- 285 in Cobb, Fulton, and DeKalb counties. The project proposes to construct two-managed lanes in both the westbound and eastbound directions along the outer edges of existing pavement along I-285. The project would begin at approximately the Paces Ferry Road/I-285 interchange and continue east to approximately Northlake Parkway. At the I-285/SR 400 interchange, the project would continue north along SR 400 north to approximately Spalding Drive, where it would tie into a proposed managed lanes system at SR 400 (P.I. No. 0001757). Along the I-285/I-85 interchange, the project would continue north along I-85 to approximately Pleasantdale Road and south along I-85 to approximately Chamblee Tucker Road. Along I-75, the project would tie into the I-75 managed lanes and just south of the Delk Road and to the south to approximately Akers Mill Road.

In addition to a managed lane system, operational improvements, managed lanes access points and opportunities for Express Bus are proposed. ROW preservation for a future transit alignment will likely not be evaluated moving forward with the DIES.

The action being evaluated in this environmental document is the early acquisition of ROW and/or easement from three parcels within the Revive I-285 project corridor along Motors Industrial Way and adjacent to the former GM Assembly Plant referred to as Parcel 1 and Parcel 2 and Parcel 3/Brandsmart. Acquisition of the property would accommodate the future shifting of Motors Industrial Way to the south and preserve the footprint necessary to locate the piers for the eastbound managed lanes which would be an elevated structure at this location if the Build Alternative is selected. This action is only for the advanced acquisition and is not evaluating the impacts associated with shifting Motors Industrial Way, which would either be part of the action evaluated in the Revive I-285 EIS, or track under an independent environmental document prior to any construction activities.

If the No-Build Alternative is selected for the Revive I-285 managed lanes or an alternative concept is advanced by the Design-Build Contractor, the land acquired from Parcels 1 and 2 and 3 would become excess property owned by the GDOT. GDOT would be responsible for the maintenance of these parcels.