Stone Mountain Freeway
Encyclopedia
The Stone Mountain Freeway is a limited-access highway
that connects Interstate 285
on the east side of Atlanta, Georgia
, with the suburb
s of Stone Mountain
and Snellville before transitioning into an arterial road
that continues to Athens
. The freeway is signed as U.S. 78 for its entire length, with about half also being state route 410 in the west, and the eastern half being state route 10. It begins at the U.S. 29/78 split near Decatur
, and continues east through eastern DeKalb
and southern Gwinnett
counties.
West of Interstate 285
, the speed limit
is 55 MPH (90 km/h). East of the junction with I-285, the limit rises to 65 MPH (105 km/h). Unlike Georgia's Interstate highways, the highway still has actual sequential exit numbers, rather than being mile-log.
Between I-285 in the west and Memorial Drive (Georgia 10) in the east, U.S. 78 overlaps 410; but, upon reaching 10, 410 ends and 10 merges with the U.S. highway.
at a major highway interchange on the Downtown Connector
. As that designation suggests, state officials originally intended the Stone Mountain Freeway to continue west, through Decatur
, Druid Hills
and Candler Park
, to downtown Atlanta
. In pursuit of those plans, in 1969 the GDOT purchased an X-shaped swath of land designed to carry two roads: Interstate 485
, running from east to west, and another freeway connecting what are now Georgia 400 to the north and Interstate 675
to the south.
Neighborhood groups and local preservationists
worked together to block road construction of the highways. After 20 years of litigation and political maneuvering, community groups and state and local officials in 1991 compromise
d and set much of the state-purchased right of way aside as park
land, later named Freedom Park
. The land proposed as the interchange of the two cancelled highways, by then, had become the site of the Carter Center
.
Freedom Parkway – the last vestige of the planned downtown link of the Stone Mountain Freeway – opened in 1994.
s.
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
that connects Interstate 285
Interstate 285
Interstate 285 is an Interstate Highway loop encircling Atlanta, Georgia, for . I-285 is also known as unsigned State Route 407 and is colloquially referred to as the Perimeter. Suburban sprawl has made it one of the most heavily traveled roadways in the United States, and portions of the highway...
on the east side of Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, with the suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
s of Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain, Georgia
Stone Mountain is a city in eastern DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 5,802 at the 2010 census. It is an outer suburb of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.-Geography:...
and Snellville before transitioning into an arterial road
Arterial road
An arterial road, or arterial thoroughfare, is a high-capacity urban road. The primary function of an arterial road is to deliver traffic from collector roads to freeways, and between urban centres at the highest level of service possible. As such, many arteries are limited-access roads, or feature...
that continues to Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
. The freeway is signed as U.S. 78 for its entire length, with about half also being state route 410 in the west, and the eastern half being state route 10. It begins at the U.S. 29/78 split near Decatur
Decatur, Georgia
Decatur is a city in, and county seat of, DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. With a population of 19,335 in the 2010 census, the city is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple zip codes in unincorporated DeKalb County bear the Decatur name...
, and continues east through eastern DeKalb
DeKalb County, Georgia
DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population of the county was 691,893 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is the city of Decatur. It is bordered to the west by Fulton County and contains roughly 10% of the city of Atlanta...
and southern Gwinnett
Gwinnett County, Georgia
, Gwinnett County had a population of 805,321. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 53.3% white , 23.6% black , 2.7% Korean, 2.6% Asian Indian, 2.0% Vietnamese, 3.3% other Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.8% some other race and 3.1% from two or more races...
counties.
West of Interstate 285
Interstate 285
Interstate 285 is an Interstate Highway loop encircling Atlanta, Georgia, for . I-285 is also known as unsigned State Route 407 and is colloquially referred to as the Perimeter. Suburban sprawl has made it one of the most heavily traveled roadways in the United States, and portions of the highway...
, the speed limit
Speed limit
Road speed limits are used in most countries to regulate the speed of road vehicles. Speed limits may define maximum , minimum or no speed limit and are normally indicated using a traffic sign...
is 55 MPH (90 km/h). East of the junction with I-285, the limit rises to 65 MPH (105 km/h). Unlike Georgia's Interstate highways, the highway still has actual sequential exit numbers, rather than being mile-log.
Between I-285 in the west and Memorial Drive (Georgia 10) in the east, U.S. 78 overlaps 410; but, upon reaching 10, 410 ends and 10 merges with the U.S. highway.
Routing controversy
The Stone Mountain Freeway shares state route number 10 with Freedom Parkway, a two-mile (3km) road in northeast Atlanta that connects with the Interstate highway systemInterstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
at a major highway interchange on the Downtown Connector
Downtown Connector
In Atlanta, Georgia, the Downtown Connector or 75/85 is the concurrent section of Interstate 75 and Interstate 85 through the core of the city. Beginning at the I-85/Langford Parkway interchange, the Downtown Connector runs generally due north, meeting the east-west Interstate 20 in the middle....
. As that designation suggests, state officials originally intended the Stone Mountain Freeway to continue west, through Decatur
Decatur, Georgia
Decatur is a city in, and county seat of, DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. With a population of 19,335 in the 2010 census, the city is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple zip codes in unincorporated DeKalb County bear the Decatur name...
, Druid Hills
Druid Hills, Georgia
Druid Hills is a community which includes both a census-designated place in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, as well as a neighborhood of the city of Atlanta. The CDP's population was 14,568 at the 2010 census...
and Candler Park
Candler Park
Candler Park is a 55-acre city park located at 585 Candler Park Drive NE, in Atlanta, Georgia. It is named after Coca-Cola magnate Asa Griggs Candler, who donated this land to the city in 1922...
, to downtown Atlanta
Downtown Atlanta
Downtown Atlanta is the first and largest of the three financial districts in the city of Atlanta. Downtown Atlanta is the location of many corporate or regional headquarters, city, county, state and federal government facilities, sporting facilities, and is the central tourist attraction of the city...
. In pursuit of those plans, in 1969 the GDOT purchased an X-shaped swath of land designed to carry two roads: Interstate 485
Interstate 485 (Georgia)
Interstate 485 was a proposed U.S. Interstate Highway in Atlanta, Georgia, heading eastwards and then northwards from downtown. The 5.9 mile-long route would have begun at the Downtown Connector and used the proposed State Route 410 east to the junction with the also-proposed State Route 400...
, running from east to west, and another freeway connecting what are now Georgia 400 to the north and Interstate 675
Interstate 675 (Georgia)
Interstate 675 was built in southeast metro Atlanta during the mid-1980s to alleviate Interstate 75 to the west, for traffic bound to Interstate 285 east. It is 11.04 miles in length, running from I-75 in the south from the city of Stockbridge to I-285 at its north end...
to the south.
Neighborhood groups and local preservationists
Historic preservation
Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance...
worked together to block road construction of the highways. After 20 years of litigation and political maneuvering, community groups and state and local officials in 1991 compromise
Compromise
To compromise is to make a deal where one person gives up part of his or her demand.In arguments, compromise is a concept of finding agreement through communication, through a mutual acceptance of terms—often involving variations from an original goal or desire.Extremism is often considered as...
d and set much of the state-purchased right of way aside as park
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
land, later named Freedom Park
Freedom Park (Atlanta)
Freedom Park is one of the largest city parks in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The park forms a cross shape with the axes crossing at the Carter Center...
. The land proposed as the interchange of the two cancelled highways, by then, had become the site of the Carter Center
Carter Center
The Carter Center is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter. In partnership with Emory University, The Carter Center works to advance human rights and alleviate human suffering...
.
Freedom Parkway – the last vestige of the planned downtown link of the Stone Mountain Freeway – opened in 1994.
Exit list
The entire route is in unincorporated areaUnincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
s.
| County | # Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb DeKalb County, Georgia DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population of the county was 691,893 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is the city of Decatur. It is bordered to the west by Fulton County and contains roughly 10% of the city of Atlanta... |
West end of SR 410; westbound exit and eastbound entrance | ||
| 1 | North Druid Hills Road, Valley Brook Road | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance | |
| 2 | , Greenville, Chattanooga | ||
| 3 | Brockett Road, Cooledge Road – Clarkston Clarkston, Georgia Clarkston is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 7,554 at the 2010 census. The city is home to the central campus of Georgia Perimeter College.... , Tucker Tucker, Georgia Tucker is a census-designated place in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 27,581 at the 2010 Census. Although central Tucker, also known as "Main Street Tucker", is laid out as a planned "railroad town," it has never been formally incorporated. Municipal services such as... |
||
| 4 | Mountain Industrial Boulevard Mountain Industrial Boulevard Mountain Industrial Boulevard is a five-lane road that runs through the CDP of Tucker, Georgia. From the Stone Mountain Freeway to its southern terminus, East Ponce de Leon Avenue, it is considered Stone Mountain. It is also Exit 4 on Stone Mountain Freeway. It is also approximately long. It is... – Tucker Tucker, Georgia Tucker is a census-designated place in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 27,581 at the 2010 Census. Although central Tucker, also known as "Main Street Tucker", is laid out as a planned "railroad town," it has never been formally incorporated. Municipal services such as... |
||
| 5 | East end of SR 410; west end of SR 10 overlap | ||
| 6 | Hugh Howell Road | Former eastbound exit built and used only for 1996 Summer Olympics; westbound entrance is still present | |
| 7 | |||
| 8 | Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance | Park access only | |
| Gwinnett Gwinnett County, Georgia , Gwinnett County had a population of 805,321. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 53.3% white , 23.6% black , 2.7% Korean, 2.6% Asian Indian, 2.0% Vietnamese, 3.3% other Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.8% some other race and 3.1% from two or more races... |
9 | West Park Place Boulevard, Rockbridge Road |