Gov. Deal, GDOT Unveil $10B Transportation Project List
Gov. Nathan Deal, surrounded by a bipartisan group of lawmakers and state transportation leaders, unveiled a $10 billion list of projects that the Georgia Department of Transportation said doubles funding for bridges, quadruples funding for roadway resurfacing, and doubles funding for routine maintenance.
“We are about to embark, on a view, of a 10 year journey into Georgia’s future,” Deal said.
The new funding was sparked by a bill passed last year that funnels new revenue to GDOT because of a $5 dollar per-night hotel fee and changes to gas taxes.
That bill, HB 170, has come under criticism from some Republicans who see it as a large tax increase and said they didn’t have enough time review the bill before they voted on it.
Vote Now, Read Later: A Georgia Legislative Tradition
Gov. Deal has said repeatedly he will do whatever it takes to defend Republicans who face primary challenges because they voted on the tax increase.
Some of the Atlanta area highlights of the projects announced Tuesday include new express lanes on the entire north side of Interstate 285, north along Georgia 400, and at both points where Interstate 20 and I-285 intersect. The list also includes new truck lanes along Interstate 75 between Macon and MacDonough.
MajorMobilityInvestments – GDOT
To the chagrin of many, only a fraction of the revenue increase from HB 170 goes to public transit projects, and that was reflected in the list announced Tuesday.
“Express lanes throughout metro Atlanta provide for a transit option and mobility for express bus and MARTA to use it, so it does provide a platform for increased level of improvement in transit,” said GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry, when asked about the lack of transit funding.
A current expansion proposal from MARTA includes a heavy-rail line beginning at the North Springs Station and running along Georgia 400.
City leaders along Georgia 400 have suggested MARTA institute bus-rapid transit in the area, instead of heavy-rail.
GDOT officials say bidding on all the projects will be open in at least the next 10 years. Construction could begin after that.
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