As construction advances on the SR 400 Express Lanes Project, a new SR 400 Incident Response Unit (IRU) will soon begin operating along the 16-mile project corridor to enhance roadway safety, improve traffic flow, and support motorists throughout construction and future lane operations. The new SR 400 IRU vehicles will begin patrolling in April.
Developed in partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT), the SR 400 IRU will provide dedicated, corridor-focused, incident response coverage designed to complement Georgia DOT’s successful statewide Highway Emergency Response Operators (HERO) program. The IRU is an operational enhancement specific to the SR 400 corridor and is not intended to replace or supersede the HERO program.
“Through this innovative partnership, we’re adding specialized resources to support our HERO operators to keep traffic moving along this corridor,” said Alan Davis, Permit and Operations Division Director, Georgia DOT. “The SR 400 Incident Response Unit reflects our shared commitment to proactive operations, faster incident response, and reliable travel on one of Georgia’s busiest corridors. Working alongside HERO, this unit will help ensure incidents are resolved quickly, enhancing public safety and improving traffic flow throughout construction and into the future.”
Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the SR 400 IRU will assist motorists, remove roadway debris, support emergency responders, and help manage traffic during incidents. By providing focused coverage within the project limits, the unit is expected to reduce response times and enhance safety for both drivers and first responders.
“Maintaining safe and reliable travel during construction is a top priority,” said Javier Gutierrez, CEO, SR 400 Peach Partners. “The SR 400 Incident Response Unit adds designated resources that will work alongside HERO operators to quickly respond to incidents and help keep traffic moving along this critical corridor.”
Supporting IRU operations, is a dedicated SR 400 Traffic Management Center (TMC) that will monitor corridor conditions around the clock, enabling faster incident detection and coordinated response throughout construction.
The SR 400 IRU represents an important investment in maintaining safety and mobility as improvements move forward along one of Georgia’s most heavily traveled transportation corridors. As a private-sector partner service, it is part of SR 400 Peach Partners’ obligation to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the SR 400 Express Lanes for an approximately 55-year period.
Motorists who need assistance on SR 400 should continue to dial 511 for non-emergency roadside assistance and always call 911 in the event of an emergency.
About the SR 400 Express Lanes Project:
The SR 400 Express Lanes Project will add new, optional, tolled express lanes in both directions along an approximately 16-mile section of SR 400 from the North Springs MARTA Station (Exit 5C) in Fulton County to approximately 1 mile north of McFarland Parkway (Exit 12) in Forsyth County.
(Forsyth Co. government photo)