The State Road and Tollway Authority has released data on the first week of operations for the new Northwest Corridor Express Lanes. Approximately 11,500 trips were made in the Express Lanes during opening weekend (Sept. 8 and 9) with the first full week of operation seeing a total of 108,850 trips.
 
“Response to the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes during its opening week was positive,” Chris Tomlinson, SRTA Executive Director, said. “The lanes have been doing well since they opened and performed as expected during morning and evening rush hours. We are pleased to see that more than 100,000 trips were made as drivers were able to try out the lanes toll-free.”
 
The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes run along I-75 from Akers Mill Rd to Hickory Grove Road and along I-575 from I-75 to Sixes Road. The 29.7 miles of dynamically priced lanes are separated from the general-purpose lanes by a series of concrete barriers and gates, offering the highest level of safety. These lanes add new highway capacity in addition to the existing general-purpose lanes.
 
The Lanes are accessible seven days a week with a registered Peach Pass mounted properly on the vehicle. The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes flow toward Atlanta during the morning commute and away from Atlanta during the evening commute.
 
By comparison, the opening week of the I-75 South Metro Express Lanes saw 23,750 trips during the first full week of operation, while the  I-85 Express Lanes had 22,442 trips.
 
Total Trips during week of Sept. 8-14

108,850 total trips
 
Saturday, Sept. 8 (lanes opened Saturday morning, running only southbound)

5,277 total trips
 
Sunday, Sept. 9 (lanes ran only southbound)

6,214 total trips
 
Monday, Sept. 10

Lane Speed

Monday, Sept. 10, morning peak (6 a.m.-10 a.m.)

Express Lanes – during the a.m. peak period average speed was 70.5 miles per hour (mph) in the

Express Lanes

General Purposes Lanes – the average speed in that same segment was 52.3 mph

Monday, Sept. 10, (3 p.m.-7 p.m.)

Express Lanes – during the p.m. peak period average speed was 70.8 mph in the Express Lanes

General Purposes Lanes – the average speed in that same segment was 52.1 mph
 
6,874 total trips southbound

7,762 total trips northbound
 
Tuesday, Sept. 11

Travel Times

Tuesday, Sept. 11, morning peak (6 a.m.-10 a.m.)

Express Lanes – during the a.m. peak period average speed was 71 mph in the Express Lanes

General Purposes Lanes – the average speed in that same segment was 48

Tuesday, Sept. 11, (3 p.m.-7 p.m.)

Express Lanes – during the p.m. peak period average speed was 71.4 mph in the Express Lanes

General Purposes Lanes – the average speed in that same segment was 50.6
 
8,659 total trips southbound

9,622 total trips northbound
 
Wednesday, Sept. 12 Data

Travel Times

Wednesday, Sept. 12, morning peak (6 a.m.-10 a.m.)

Express Lanes – during the a.m. peak period average speed was 70.7 mph in the Express Lanes

General Purposes Lanes – the average speed in that same segment was 46

Wednesday, Sept. 12, (3 p.m.-7 p.m.)

Express Lanes – during the p.m. peak period average speed was 70.6 mph in the Express Lanes

General Purposes Lanes – the average speed in that same segment was 48.5
 
9,708 total trips southbound

10,656 total trips northbound
 
Thursday, Sept. 13 Data

Travel Times

Thursday, Sept. 13, morning peak (6 a.m.-10 a.m.)

Express Lanes – during the a.m. peak period average speed was 70.6 mph in the Express Lanes

General Purposes Lanes – the average speed in that same segment was 47.3

Thursday, Sept. 13, (3 p.m.-7 p.m.)

Express Lanes – during the p.m. peak period average was 70.5 mph in the Express Lanes

General Purposes Lanes – the average speed in that same segment was 47.9
 
10,636 total trips southbound

12,173 total trips northbound
 
Friday, Sept. 14

Travel Times

Friday, Sept. 14, morning peak (6 a.m.-10 a.m.)

Express Lanes – during the a.m. peak period average speed was 72 mph in the Express Lanes

General Purposes Lanes – the average speed in that same segment was 57.2

Friday, Sept. 14, (3 p.m.-7 p.m.)

Express Lanes – during the p.m. peak period average speed was 70.3 mph in the Express Lanes

General Purposes Lanes – the average speed in that same segment was 44.7
 
9,727 total trips southbound

11,542 total trips northbound