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Governor Perdue has an aggressive plan for moving Georgia's transportation program forward. The plan calls for the largest overall investment the state will make in improving the quality of life for Georgians and spurring the economic vitality of our state.
Georgia is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, four of the ten fastest-growing counties in the nation are located in the Metro Atlanta area. The Governor believes strongly that it is his responsibility to meet the transportation challenges of this growing population.
Governor Perdue brought the key transportation players together and asked them to develop a common plan. Today, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA), Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), local governments, and other key players are working together like never before.
With the key agencies assembled, the Governor provided them with a a clear set of principles to guide transportation planning:
- Promote safety
- Improve the mobility of people and goods
- Improve air quality for our citizens
- Spend transportation funds in a strategic, cost effective manner
- Allocate funds equitably across the state
Georgia 's transportation team was asked to follow these principles in developing a comprehensive transportation plan. In the interim, the Governor announced an initial bond package in 2003, Georgia Gets Going. It was focused on speeding up existing high priority projects to improve mobility and access.
With the players, the principles, and the plan aligned, Georgia is moving forward with a comprehensive transportation program for the next 6 years. This $15.5 billion program to relieve congestion and promote economic growth is called “Fast Forward.†It allows the state to do in six years work that would have otherwise taken 18 years.
In keeping with the Governor's principle of allocating funds equitably, approximately half of the $15.5 billion will be spent in the Metro Atlanta Region, where half of all Georgians live. The other half of the funds will go to the needs of Georgians in other regions of the state.
The funding sources include:
$11 billion in funding through the regular GDOT program
$1.5 billion in General Obligation (GO) and Guaranteed Revenue (GRB) bonds
$3 billion in GARVEE bonds.
The GO-GRB package will fund projects similar to those in the 2003 bond package, focusing on arterial road improvements, express bus service, and the Governor's Road Improvement Program (GRIP) for Georgia 's rural communities to expand economic opportunity.
GARVEE bonds are a new funding mechanism for Georgia that will accelerate some much needed projects. It is critical for the state to move forward on projects that will provide short term relief while progress is made on long term solutions.
Short term relief includes:
$211 million to expand our Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and HERO coverage to more safely and efficiently clear traffic incidents that disrupt the flow of traffic and cause delays. With this investment, the goal is to reduce peak hour delays by 30%.
$16 million to expand ramp metering – control of the flow of cars onto highways at on-ramps. Implementation of this system can reduce peak hour delays by 7%.
$116 million for traffic signal upgrades , including synchronization. In a pilot project by GDOT, 14 traffic lights were synchronized on state route 316 between Gwinnett and Barrow Counties resulting in a 16% reduction of average travel time for commuters.
Long term congestion relief will include:
$1.3 billion to accelerate expansion of HOV lanes to encourage carpools and greater bus ridership.
$286 million to implement two new transit corridors in the Atlanta region, providing commuters with transportation alternatives.
For economic development , statewide improvements will be made to the Interstate system. $1.5 billion will be allocated to add more than 400 new lane miles to rural I-75, I-85 and I-95 and urban interstate capacity. Georgia 's interstates help put businesses within a 2-day truck or rail haul of 80% of U.S. industrial markets. Maintaining and upgrading our highway capacity is a critical component of our economic development strategy.
As a growing state, Georgia has tremendous transportation needs. The challenge is twofold – reduce congestion in the Atlanta region and improve access for economic development throughout Georgia . Fast Forward accomplishes these goals in an equitable and fiscally responsible way that meets the needs of this state while living within our means.
More details on the Fast Forward plan can be found at http://www.dot.state.ga.us.