Commission welcomes GRTA

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

For all the disagreements the Coweta County Commission has had with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, Tuesday's meeting between the two groups was quite civil.

GRTA Chairman Joel Cowan, who lives in Peachtree City, visited the commission meeting Tuesday and emphasized that the board wants to work with the commission to solve the region's transportation problems.

"We know there'll be many points of friction," Cowan said.
He added that the group is trying to protect the county's investment in roads. He cited the MARTA expansion up Ga. Highway 400 and said if the Fulton County Commission decided to implement five-acre zoning around the station the $1 billion expansion would not be protected.

Commissioner Jim McGuffey asked about a possible expansion of HOV lanes and Cowan said those lanes would be heading toward Coweta down Interstate 85.

He also said the commuter vans and buses would play a part in helping the county's transportation problems.

"You have to look at the entire picture," he said.

Commissioner Robert Wood said he believes that private or public transportation companies will be the most amenable to residents.

"They'll just handle that better than carpooling," he said.
Commission Chairman Vernon "Mutt" Hunter, who has known Cowan for years, thanked Cowan for attending the meeting and said he was welcome anytime.