By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@thecitizennews.com

The Atlanta Regional Commission Board of Directors last week approved the draft 25-year, $36 million Regional Transportation Plan and the official period of public comment has begun.

Also approved was the $1.9 billion Transportation Improvement Program, also ready for official public comment.

The 30-day comment period began Jan. 27 and will include 12 public meetings beginning Feb. 1, with final board approval slated for March. A public meeting for Fayette residents will be Tuesday, Feb. 15 in the commissioners' meeting room at the County Administrative Complex.

While conforming to air quality requirements, the transportation plans will give the region's commuters more transportation options than ever before, ARC officials say.

“Due to the efforts of many, ARC will present a plan that will produce cleaner air and more choices for how we travel in the future,” said ARC director Harry West. “Although there are some new road projects planned, the single-occupant car will longer be the star of the show.”

The RTP signifies a dramatic shift in how transportation funds are invested as the majority of funding, 55 percent of the $36 billion, will go to new transit facilities.

If the plan becomes final, among changes that Fayette residents will see are:

” More high occupancy vehicle lanes on their way to work. The plan anticipates spending $201 million to extend HOV lanes 15.9 miles down Interstate 85, from the I-75/85 split to Interstate 285, then from I-285 south to Ga. Highway 74.

” Availability of commuter rail service. The plan earmarks $70 million for a 31-mile rail line from Atlanta to Senoia — with stops in Peachtree City and Tyrone — as part of $5.58 billion in overall rail transit facilities.

” Heavy rail available nearby. The plan anticipates extending a south rail line from Hapeville into the Southern Crescent.

” A bus system. The plan includes a 69 percent increase in miles of bus service, including bus systems in each of the Atlanta region's ten counties.

” Stricter emission control, inspection and maintenance programs.

” More bicycle/pedestrian paths/lanes. Local officials are hoping a long-planned bike path on Redwine Road from Peachtree City to Fayetteville will be among $500 million in expansion of the region's system.

Through aggressive pursuit of vehicle emission control strategies, investments in transportation alternatives to the car and new “smarter growth” land use policies, air quality requirements will be met by the target date of 2003, with continuous improvement through 2025, ARC planners say.

The VISION 2020 planning effort, completed in 1996, provided guidance for the development of the RTP. Additional policy recommendations came from five ARC community task forces created to examine strategies that would reduce reliance on driving alone, enhance the region's mobility and improve air quality. In May 1999, the ARC board established policies and plan guidelines based on the work of these task forces and other planning partners.

The ARC board also released the draft Transportation Improvement Program for public comment. It will distribute $1.9 billion over the next three years for projects that emphasize alternatives to the single-occupant vehicle. The TIP is a set of priority transportation projects taken from the long-range plan and mirrors the RTP's emphasis on transit, with 40 percent of the total funding going for transit projects. The short-range TIP will provide the region's commuters with some quick relief as it will set in motion many of the projects found in the long-range RTP.

“Out of the starting gate, ARC is putting heavy emphasis on transit with 40 percent of the $1.9 billion TIP going to regional bus purchases, commuter rail and several other transit initiatives and improvements,” said Jane Hayse, chief of ARC transportation planning.

To fund all the transit projects found in the RTP, it is forecast that the region will need to “flex” (transfer funds from roadway projects) $2.6 billion of Federal Highway Administration funds. The TIP sets the tone for the next 25 years by flexing more than $178 million.

Key TIP projects include more than $20 million for regional bus purchases and more than $178 million of flexed funds for commuter rail projects. Also, the Livable Centers Initiative, which encourages livable development, mixed uses and connectivity at the activity and town center levels, will receive more than $23 million. This includes $1 million per year for the planning studies and approximately $20 million for initial implementation.

Fayette residents who can't make the Feb. 15 local briefing may attend other nearby briefings:

Tuesday, Feb. 1, South Fulton Annex, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park.

Wednesday, Feb. 2, Henry County commissioners meeting room 345, Phillips Drive, McDonough.

Thursday, Feb. 3, Clayton County Commission board room, 112 Smith St., Jonesboro.

A public hearing is set for Tuesday, Feb. 22, at the Georgia Hill Community Center, 250 Georgia Ave., Atlanta.

Another hearing nearby will be Thursday, Feb. 24, at the Manuel Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.

For directions and transit information to these meetings, or a copy of any of the plans, or if you cannot attend these meetings and want to submit comments in other ways, phone ARC at 404-463-3272, e-mail Opinion@atlantaregional.com, or visit www.atlantaregional.com\rtpsurvey http://www.atlantaregional.com\rtpsurvey.