The Atlanta Regional Commission Board of Directors recently 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.

The closest public meeting to Coweta residents will be in Fayetteville Tuesday, Feb. 15 at the County Administrative Complex, 140 Stonewall Ave, in the commissioners' meeting room, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

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 Coweta 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. Region-wide, $500 million is set aside for bike paths.

But road improvements are not left out of the plan altogether. Among local projects included are:

Widening of the Ga. Highway 34 corridor between Newnan and Peachtree City. Work is already being done on the section of the road from Ga. Highway 154 to Interstate 85.

Residents hoping for a quick widening of the rest of the road, though, may be disappointed. ARC officials estimate the rest of the nearly $24 million project won't be completed until 2008.

The building of the Newnan bypass from Hwy. 34 to U.S. 29.

Widening of the bridge at Ga. Highway 54 and Line Creek from two to four lanes.

If the plan is approved, air quality requirements will be met by the target date of 2003, with continuous improvement through 2025, ARC planners say.

Also up for public comment is the five-year Transportation Improvement Plan, which focuses on the more immediate projects.

“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.

Coweta residents who can't make the Feb. 15 Fayette 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.

All the briefings will be 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

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

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