17-03 Atlanta: I-85 Redemption

Follows a route through Atlanta from I-20W to I-75/85N to I-85N where we cross the (repaired section that had recently collapsed) to GA-400N through Buckhead and past I-285. All music and equipment info is listed in the closing credits.

[@cduffy1648]

This ride makes Atlanta looks super clean, modern and gorgeous.

[@Freewayjim]

It is in places...lots of places :)

[@carlahead5072]

Yeah I was born and raised in Atlanta-actually I was born in Marietta and my dad was born in Atlanta. Yeah Atlanta's a great place to live and it is a beautiful city.

[@InkaBall]

@@carlahead5072yes, as long as you avoid south Atlanta your good.

[@KCWanderlust]

If I had any "say so" in the matter, this is worthy of an engineering award or 2, based on the speed with which this was compleated. The need was great and was adressed in record time.

[@Freewayjim]

Definitely agree with that!

[@InterstateJD]

Looks like quite a pleasant drive. Georgia was seriously admirable in how it handled that I-85 collapse, it's hard to believe it was fixed that quickly. the repaved connector and I-85 looks quite nice as well. I'd love to see Atlanta irl at some point, thanks for sharing!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, yes everyone involved did a great job.

[@geographylordd9371]

@@Freewayjim I know this comment thread is 5 years old but that bridge incident should serve as wake up call to diversify transportation options in Atlanta

[@Freewayjim]

@@geographylordd9371 Apparently it didn't

[@lupine25]

Looks like they took advantage of the bridge work to smooth out some pavement before and after the bridge. Good on them!

[@JJAcrosstheUSA]

Couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to go out filming, very nice work! Glad they were able to finish it in such a short time, ATL commuters rejoice!!

[@jamesthefisherman1060]

People think Charlotte is a big crowded place. Charlotte is nothing compared to Atlanta.

[@Freewayjim]

You are very correct on that.

[@blatheringblathers347]

Heck, their damned toll lanes on 77 will never be finished!

[@edwardmiessner6502]

Nice video, Jim. Nice ride and cool music. 42 days! That was quick. It shows you that when something has to be done RIGHT NOW the State can get off its derriere and get it done. Now if they could do something on signing the bannered routes (business, conn, loop, spur) in a manner that's visible--like in green letters in the green space above the route marker. Flying by that Rte. 141 sign was a blur and you guys over there not to mention visitors and people driving through can't afford to keep your eyes off the traffic for one second!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@rickym.5271]

Great videos! Your videos are a great source for archives of Atlanta and the growing metro area. Especially Gwinnett county and the rest of the United States.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you very much!

[@rickym.5271]

You are welcome! Keep it up! 👍

[@rickym.5271]

You are welcome! Keep it up! 👍👍👍

[@gootchie]

Similar issue in SF/Oakland several years back when an overpass on the MacArthur Maze collapsed in a fire started by a wrecked tanker truck. Yet they found a contractor who got it replaced in less than a month, almost half the original time they were allotted.

[@jaxgirl33548]

thank you for all your help with destinations......i like the videos,,,,keep em' coming

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you for watching!

[@TransCanadaPhil]

I always love seeing that section at 4:34 where the freeway goes under the buildings at an oblique angle. That must have taken some engineering. I always remember this section from your videos in Atlanta.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you, yeah that is a pretty neat section of freeway. Word has it they will cover GA-400 from the buildings to Exit 2 with a park at some point.

[@erikmorales6912]

WOW, Atlanta is beautiful and their freeways look consistent, compared to the LA area Atlanta has the upper hand in highways. I would love to drive around Atlanta someday 😊😄

[@Freewayjim]

It's not as big or has as many freeways as LA but what it has is very nice.

[@socarboy]

Great ride, I know the powers to be in Atlanta and GDOT are appreciative of you making this video to showcase the fantastic repair they did in record time.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, yes that was an impressive repair job for sure.

[@iamme50]

I’m back in Atlanta!!!!! I couldn’t live without my city!!!!

[@MrSniperFromMars]

Impressive rebuild by GDOT. Atlanta freeways have always seemed very nice. Great video!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you and yes!

[@proro1974]

Great video. The ATL looks great. Need to come visit soon. They fixed the I85 bridge in double quick time.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you, indeed!

[@bundesautobahn7]

The repair looks very good. I envy you guys in Georgia for your local government stepping up to the plate and making things happen by repairing that bridge in the short time that they did. I wish we've had that kind of efficiency with the Virilla Bridge on the Number 1 highway's express way segment between San José and Juan Santamaría airport (Costa Rica's main international airport). Since an expansion joint failed and the metal plate that covered it went loose in 2008, they've been spending 9 years trying to fix a bridge, that was inaugurated in 1957, that is 156 metres long (that's 512 feet) and never really received maintenance. The new repaired bridge, which was also made more compliant with today's seismic regulations and expanded to six lanes, was supposed to be inaugurated on February 28th of this year, but it's been delayed over and over. Now the government claims it will be opened some time this week. The Virilla Bridge has become a symbol of government incompetence in transportation policy and public works. A total of three presidents have promised to fix the bridge, several millions of Dollars were burned on bad repairs (in Colones, we've probably hit more than a billion Colones by now), and it took them nearly a decade to fix it. Another bridge, the Juan Pablo II bridge (also on the Number 1 highway), is also showing major signs of decay due to the maintenance (or lack thereof), after more than 3 decades since it was inaugurated and named after John Paul II. God knows if they will tear that bridge down to build a new one or if it will collapse on its own soon. Sorry for the rant.

[@Freewayjim]

It's OK, yes everyone is pleased with GDOT on this.

[@halbud]

@@Freewayjim I've been going to Atlanta for 30 yrs, down 85 from Charlotte and the GDOT has to be the best in the nation ! Always ahead of everyone else inthe construction of hiways !!

[@Freewayjim]

@@halbud I agree, I think they do a great job overall.

[@DanielTrue16]

Awesome video. I've been wanting to visit Atlanta for a long time now, and I think I may have to come. The architecture and greenery is so neat.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you! we do have some really neat architecture and all the greenery you can handle.

[@nathancook1404]

A good way to start the Season this year! Can't wait to see where you'll go to!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, me either.

[@FreewayBrent]

That looked like a California-like day; awesome filming conditions! Loved your take on the I-85 rebuild, with the images of news scenes thrown into this. Great job and nice soundtrack to boot as well.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you much, very California like indeed with a little humidity.

[@cjs121675]

Very nice ride- also good to see they got that fixed as fast as they did- was impressed by how fast it was done- and also a nice ride through Buckhead- always wanted to check that out- reminds me of some freeway I saw in a dream years ago- wanna check Atlanta out some day!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, hope you get to.

[@t81henderson]

I was out there striping that portion,felt good to complete that project.

[@Freewayjim]

Awesome! I'm sure it did.

[@hume7171]

I truly miss ATLANTA!!

[@fauhlin]

woah! driven over that so many times and didn’t even realize that was the section that burned down and rebuilt! i’m gonna pay more attention next time haha

[@Freewayjim]

You can't miss it, the rebuilt section is newer and cleaner than the rest of the viaduct :)

[@triplebeamdreaminful]

I listen to this song almost every day! I've been obsessed with visiting Atlanta lately so I clicked on your video and I had to double take! Lmao what are the odds. Btw great video, they never disappoint. For anyone who likes the track its from the album Afterdark: Chicago Song: can't you see the sunshine through the rain?

[@Freewayjim]

Wow, what are the odds indeed! thank you for watching.

[@SoundFX09]

Another Impressive Video Freewayjim. Amazing how quickly and efficiently the GDOT and the Contractors worked their cans off to get I-85 Online and Operational Again. Speaking of Openings/Reopenings, did you know that today (May 22, 2017), Dave & Busters opened their forth Atlanta Location in Alpharetta?

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, did not know that.

[@alexandert6866]

great video Jim and good music. i really enjoy all your videos :)

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@jr2shiesty589]

I love this video Jim! Its awesome

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@SCMAN42]

U got got taste and music and the video is great thanks Jim!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@jtn2002]

Looks good now that it's done! If you want to highlight construction; I'd recommend coming back to Florida (I-95 in Jacksonville for the overland bridge project and I-4 Ultimate)!

[@jtn2002]

Matthew Becerra overall with road quality on interstates I would tend to agree.

[@rwgrab]

Wow, thanks for that great video, and props to GDOT for getting I-85 back up and running after the collapse. We visited Atlanta during the closure and had booked a non-refundable hotel in Buckhead. We decided to get around by MARTA, which worked out well...except for our first trip when the train caught on fire and we had to evacuate the tunnel between the Midtown and North Avenue stations. Still made it to dinner on time though :)

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks for watching!

[@DeaconG1959]

I can see why double decking the Connector is being considered as a possibility... The fix looks good-shows that when the state wants to get off the dime and get it done they can do it. I'm reminded of the incident where a tanker truck blew up on the Beachline in Merritt Island some five years back and took out the bridge crossing FL 3...they said 30 days, and 30 days later the bridge was replaced...

[@Freewayjim]

I don't think they can or will ever double deck the Connector. Maybe some elevated toll lanes someday, but not the whole thing.

[@DeaconG1959]

GDOT was at least thinking about it in 2005, here's the link from the Atlanta Business Journal: www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2015/04/07/georgia-dot-eyes-tunnel-double-deck-for-downtown.html

[@Freewayjim]

There was also a story around that time about double-decking the northern arc of I-285, a more feasible endeavor IMO.

[@schwenda3727]

Does GDOT, the city, or even Fulton County have the re$our¢e$ to even think about putting an expansion worthy​ of making the Big Dig look like gahbage??? It'd actually be interesting to find out...

[@Freewayjim]

I don't know about $20 Billion laying around but it would be easier to do something here with no water crossings to deal with and the other challenges that Boston had to overcome.

[@Mahoot]

Amazing video

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@rylandtelevision2321]

We featured y'all as one of our favorite five videos for the week of May 26! Keep up the great work!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you for that!

[@heathergardner2103]

I enjoy all your videos

[@treyjohnson7854]

God I love Atlanta! All my family stays there

[@seanh2198]

Hey Jim, I stumbled upon you videos, the northern California ones, and I just LOVE them! I have travelled some of them I am a fan!! keep up the great work!!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you very much!

[@countenanceblog]

I remember after the '94 Northridge quake in L.A., that the damaged freeways were fixed and re-opened in very short order.

[@keyowilson5695]

Haven't been through Atlanta in years (the only exception is when I drove to Kennesaw/Woodstock last September). There was one day in DC when the Roosevelt Bridge closed during morning rush hour, and it was the worst Monday nightmare for traffic. So I cannot imagine what it was like for driving around Atlanta without a section of I-85.

[@Freewayjim]

It was an inconvenience but people adapted.

[@ca2fla]

Thanks for a nice ride, Jim. The fast work on I 85 is proof that money talks. The contractors got a nice bonus ($3 million, I think) for finishing quickly, just like what happened in LA after the Northridge earthquake knocked out bridges on the Santa Monica, Golden State, and Simi Valley Freeways.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you, and yes, money does talk!

[@kbw.rvwhntr]

Glad you had a nice post Mother's Day outing. It's great that they fixed that bridge and things see things back to normal there.

[@Freewayjim]

Yes indeed, thank you!

[@semineil]

Glad to see your awesome videos back! They help make Mondays tolerable.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, I have two more coming for now.

[@semineil]

Awesome!

[@JohnH-os6id]

Jim, Great video and impressive work repairing that section so fast! Wherever you go this year.........SAFE TRAVELS to you!!!!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you John!

[@acfhs-xu4ck]

Another awesome video, I,m so glad they fixed it so quickly

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@nahi7824]

Thank you very much for this awesome video! please let us know your summer plan on the next video .Congratulations Freewayjim!!

[@RonsTechSolutions]

Loved the video Jim, thanks for another amazing one

[@jmvfrva]

I enjoyed it - very nice ride.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@_antdaking]

Looks great(minus the usual traffic haha)! If only the roads here in DC were as nice as the the ones in Atlanta

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, yes we do have some nice roads here.

[@thevultranttcuniverse6936]

I always like the I-75/85 split at the 17th Street Bridge.

Enjoyed this. Nice music!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you

[@MarkL0360]

Visiting my native Cleveland a few years back, one of my friends was complaining about heavy traffic on I-90 going into downtown. I told him "that ain't heavy traffic. Wanna see heavy traffic? Try I-75/85 through Downtown Atlanta. 14 lanes and they jam up on command."

[@Freewayjim]

This is true!

[@jayayebee]

Having 85 back has been such a relief. You could hardly get off my block, with all the detoured traffic.

[@MrJamesgrate]

Great video, I'm glad the guy at 1:47 in the silver VW Passat didn't get under your skin, because he was very irritating, fanning his arm to get into the left lane at the last minute. Otherwise this was a smooth relaxing ride...

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, eh, typical ATL driver :)

[@MrJamesgrate]

Absolutely. Thanks for responding!!

[@Andreas4696]

Wow. I thought I read in the news that it would take months and months until it got fixed. Very good video.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, yes, 6 weeks, that was impressive!

[@Andreas4696]

How has the commute been these past few weeks? Have many people been forced onto public transportation?

[@Freewayjim]

I don't have to commute there so I don't really know. Some used public transportation, some other roads were clogged (especially I-285), some telecommuted, the city functioned.

[@Andreas4696]

I see. Thanks for the response. I guess it has been proven again that people adapt very well. Remember the "carmageddon" in Los Angeles when they widened the 405? Politicians and media, as well as citizens thought it was going to be chaos. But people adapt, people either don't drive, or use surface streets.

[@EpicThe112]

Nice job Jim and here in the New York metro area there was a similar incident back in 1989 when the I-78 viaduct between exits 57 and 56 collapsed under a fire similar to the I-85 connector fire. My guess is that NJDOT assisted GDOT in rebuilding I-85 connector viaduct after the fire and here is the NY times article about the I-78 exits 56-57 bridge fire www.nytimes.com/1989/08/08/nyregion/fire-in-unlicensed-newark-dump-closes-highway.html

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks

[@dave11686]

Great video!

[@runningonempty398]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks for watching!

[@Zeakthecat]

public/private partnerships is what does neat and fast repair jobs like what they did on I-85, because i don't see any other way they could've done it.

[@blatheringblathers347]

If done right!

[@Martin_MamCary]

As usual great material :) greetings from Poland :)

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you very much!

[@EuropeanRoads]

Great to see I-85 back open again. The filming conditions were excellent, going north in sunny weather with a deep blue sky.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, yes, had to take advantage of that :)

[@upeedinalamb5297]

This lamb can't wait to see where you go. The vegetation makes me hungry.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, me either, have no plans yet.

[@schwenda3727]

Whoah... the "colors" in this ride looked even more badass than usual... and they're usually eye-popping as it is. Guess it's has to be THE rightest of the right possible moments, I guess... Lots of seemingly brand new beautiful buildings along the connector... Any of the ones seemingly under construction going to legitimately hit skyscraper status when finished???

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, the polarizer filter helps :) They are building like crazy in downtown, midtown, and Buckhead as well as the suburbs, we are having another growth boom here.

[@silasthegreat983]

One time I went to the Olympic Park and The Varsity downtown on a Sunday and the traffic was horrible. It was moving like 3 inches every 30 seconds.

[@sonerdoymus2887]

thanks you jim

[@mustangmann3502]

nice work ,thanks

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks

[@pointlesssentience3987]

I was waiting for this!

I-20 West Moreland Ave. Very close to Shane's Ribshack, East Atlanta Marketplace. 😃😃

[@AlexOnBass]

My wife works for GDot😄

[@thevultrantransituniverse1487]

This highway is also similar to M 30 in Madrid as well.

[@sheri1983]

Beautiful video as always, I would like to see you travel into Arizona, New Mexico, Utah this season.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, I've been to those states and shot videos there three of the last four years.

[@kevinwoodard6571]

Interesting, how you filmed this one week before releasing it on KZbin. Nice work.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks

[@JugglerBlend]

17 miles in 17 minutes _Perfect_

[@CrystalClearWith8BE]

Hey, Jim. If I compare the I-85 bridge collapse in Atlanta to the I-95 collapse in Northeast Philly, I'd say the I-95 collapse is way worse than the I-85 collapse.

[@countenanceblog]

I'm surprised there wasn't any work around GA 400 at I-285. Or is that project a little bit in the future?

[@Freewayjim]

That's started, they are clearing out things to the side and a little north of where this video ended.

[@ajlee6933]

With so much new construction around the city, are you going to do any street drives through Midtown or Buckhead?

[@Freewayjim]

Maybe at some point I will.

[@blueberrysavers3547]

Not only did they repair the bridge, but they also resurface the road

[@empresslisa6875]

Atlanta look nice

[@louisiana173]

Saw how many videos of Atlanta that you made. I guess they finished with the I-85 bridge

[@Freewayjim]

About 20-21 IDK, yes the I-85 Bridge was finished two days before I filmed this video.

[@sauwahfung9176]

I think the alongside roads places scenics are so goods goods , so goods beautiful and so goods comfortable and so goods big, and so goods wides. I think the alongside roads places all trees are so goods goods and so goods beautiful. I think the alongside roads places airs are so goods to fresh airs. I think the alongside roads places environment are so goods comfortable. I can able be to the awersomes for it. I am To glads for it. I think are so good values the delights or wows and praises for it. I love to it. I think are most favorites for it. Thank you for sharing thank you so much that’s right all right ok no problems me too see you soon see you later good luck good job you are welcome.

[@arnola88gt]

Yes!

[@AJTLfilms]

One thing, can you please add the box with the time and location back in to your videos? I like that little feature. Btw great video!!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, yeah, I did not do it in this video due to the nature of its theme and the still image of the box at the beginning, but yeah that's a staple with most videos and will be in the next one.

[@NorthGeorgiaRailfan]

I didn't even know Jim that you took a snapshot of the WSB-TV footage of the I-85 Bridge Collapse!

[@Freewayjim]

Not my snapshot, just found it on the internet.

[@NorthGeorgiaRailfan]

Freewayjim, Google Photos or other sources?

[@Freewayjim]

Yes, what does it matter?

[@NorthGeorgiaRailfan]

I was wondering!?

[@Freewayjim]

If you are that curious, do a google search for images on the I-85 viaduct and I'm sure you'll find all three that I used.

[@Tonedef5959]

amazing

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks

[@TrueMathSquare]

Nice video. I like how you put so much time into them. How do you visit all of these cities? Do you just like to travel or are you a truck driver?

[@Buffalorush]

Freewayjim, of all the videos you've shown us, which is your most enjoyable drive?

[@Freewayjim]

Hard to say, probably I-70 west through Colorado.

[@fsricknews2050]

WSB-TV Show that I-85 Collapse wow it burned down and is back!

[@Man4Real.]

Jim I've been a subscriber to you since 2010 and since then your videos have been dope ! Btw your based out of Atlanta right ?

[@halbud]

If that had happened in Charlotte it would have taken 27 yrs. to repair !!!

[@mariomario7379]

Why does the video quality look so good? Wow!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you! Good Setup & Good Camera & Good editing software helps.

[@carizmotorsindonesia4271]

There's one of your video and the backsound is Sweer Rain. Can u tell me which your video is?

[@Freewayjim]

Yes, it's this one, 15-40 from Denver. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKmln4Warsh3qJI

[@kristophercornett7189]

This go around could you get Louisville, since they've completed the new bridges.

[@Freewayjim]

I doubt I'll be going that way.

[@edkollin]

They fix things so fast down south. If this happened in New York it would take at least 2 years, not 2 months.

[@Freewayjim]

One word, Unions.

[@leroyybrown]

How does a section of freeway just collapse? Was anyone hurt?

[@Freewayjim]

Google the story for more details, someone supposedly set a fire underneath it and there were some flammable materials under the bridge (brilliant), no, nobody was hurt.

[@leroyybrown]

Good to hear nobody hurt

[@Two99Point80]

There was quite a fire under it... bet there are plenty of videos with more info.

[@MalekMasoud]

The worst part though? The collapse caused traffic headaches and nightmares for Atlanta commuters!

[@Angel_Peg]

What camera are you filming with

[@Freewayjim]

A Sony HDR-PJ710, I list my gear in the closing credits.

[@Angel_Peg]

@@Freewayjim Thanks bro

[@danielgc9410]

que bonita ciudad

[@LeonNikkidude]

Google Street View should have video in this style on every street and highway

[@miketyler677]

Freeway Jim. How do you travel evedywhere!?

[@Freewayjim]

I live in the Atlanta area and the other stuff, I basically take one big trip a year, I really don't travel much at all.

[@mrgqguy]

Would have taken 3 years in Louisiana.

[@xJC]

Jim, what is your opinion of Atlanta's new sign style, at 2:47, as compared to the old style, as seen at 1:15?

[@Freewayjim]

In all honestly, I really don't have one, I just don't get caught up in the minutiae of signs, but I know some people like them...I like some things about both I suppose.

[@xJC]

I feel like the older ones are easier to understand for people not from the area, but the newer ones are more aesthetically pleasing.

[@Freewayjim]

I can go with that.

[@thatrandomoshawott3427]

Just wondering: Have you ever been on any of Kentucky's parkways?

[@Freewayjim]

No, just the Interstates.

[@thatrandomoshawott3427]

They are just like Interstates, except I think they actually have a smaller median than Interstates. They all used to be toll roads until the last toll booths closed in around 2006. (By the way, the Western Kentucky Parkway is the very definition of a deserted road, with almost no traffic and very few exits and few fast food restaurants. Plus, there was a rest stop inside the median of the road that recently closed.)