Regional transportation planners are hoping to see Fayette and other metropolitan Atlanta residents abandon their cars and use buses or trains over the next 25 years.

A proposed new Regional Transportation Plan would spend 57 percent of the region's $37 billion in transportation funding on transit facilities, with a much smaller investment in road improvements than ever before.

Atlanta Regional Commission officials last week announced that the 25-year plan has passed computer tests with flying colors, showing that the increased reliance on buses, rail, bike paths and other facilities will bring the region into compliance with federal air quality standards.

Failure to meet those standards in recent years has brought a halt to road construction projects.

“While there are some new road projects planned, the single-occupant car will no longer be the star of the show,” said Harry West, ARC director, after announcing the test results.

A regional public forum on the test results is slated for Oct. 26, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at MARTA headquarters next to the lindbergh MARTA station. Detailed resuls of the testing also will be shared with the ARC Board of Directors at a working session Nov. 1.

An official comment period is scheduled in January and February, and the ARC board is expected to officially adopt the plan in March 2000.

“Due to the efforts of many, ARC is presenting plan results today that include cleaner air and more choices for how we travel in the future,” said West.

“Not only does the plan meet air quality standards by the region's target date of 2003, it maintains and further enhances air quality through 2025,” said Jane Hayse, chief of ARC transportation planning.

“This is quite a feat in the face of the projected 40 percent increase in population over the 25-year planning period.” ARC projects that the 10-county Atlanta region will gain a million new residents by 2025, for a total of 4.4 million.

Fayette County officials are still waiting to find out whether the plan includes funds for widening Ga. highways 54 and 74, projects considered critical in efforts to ease gridlock here. ARC officials say more details on local projects will be available at the Nov. 1 meeting.

If the plan is adopted by ARC and approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, 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 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 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.

The Atlanta Regional Commission is the official planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta region, home to 3.2 million citizens. As the metropolitan planning organization, ARC is charged with coordinating the development of short- and long-range transportation plans to serve the future needs of metro Atlanta.

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