ARC approves $67 Billion Transportation Plan

Mon, 10/08/2007 - 8:16am
By: The Citizen

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) voted Sept. 26 to approve a $67 billion regional transportation plan to combat the worst traffic bottlenecks and provide new transit and pedestrian options for travel in metro Atlanta.

Crafted by ARC, as the metropolitan planning organization for transportation, the plan includes a 25-year long-range plan, as well as a priority 6-year plan drawn from the larger plan.

“Despite record-breaking growth, federal cutbacks and having to cut more than $4 billion worth of much-needed projects, we’ve devised and endorsed a plan that will minimize future traffic delays and keep Atlanta moving,” said ARC Chairman Sam Olens. “We’ve expanded transit options and will fund hundreds of projects across the region that will target congestion.”

Highlights of the plan include the region’s first set of managed lanes, where commuters will have the option of traveling in free-flow conditions around the clock for a fee, as well as new transit options such as expanded bus service, bus rapid transit systems, the Beltline and a transit spur from the Lindbergh MARTA station to Emory University.

This is the first transportation plan to score projects based on recommendations emanating from the Governor’s Congestion Mitigation Task Force.

“We have directed our limited dollars to achieve the most bang for the buck,” said Chairman Olens.

Last month, the ARC board moved to adopt an official position proposing new transportation funding for the Atlanta region. The resolution encourages the Georgia legislature to consider allowing metro Atlantans to consider a referendum for a one percent sales tax that could fund a broader set of congestion relieving improvements. The ARC board will take up next month several proposed steps from local governments and state agencies to improve the implementation of its regional transportation plans and provide more accountability among project sponsors.

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Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Mon, 10/08/2007 - 9:05pm.

to fill our reservoirs, transportation will be the least of our worries.
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Submitted by skyspy on Mon, 10/08/2007 - 10:05pm.

How many people are going to buy high-rise condos, and cluster homes when there is not enough water to flush a toilet??

Why keep building homes when there is no water for the people who are already here?? We don't have enough space on our roads for the people already here either.

Hmmmm, yes I can see the ads for Atlanta now: We have no water, so you will have to travel 15 floors down to use the outhouse. If that isn't enough to bring you here, the added bonus of 2 hours in rush hour traffic should really bring in new residents. Pure genius

The powers that be in our state capital want to punish the people who are already here to help their big developer buddies. How much of a kick back are they getting?

Submitted by Nitpickers on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 5:35am.

Are you suggesting that we put a moratorium on developers?
How much pressure do you think our officials can take?
They won't even shut down landscapers, car washes, etc., until thick mud comes out of the faucet!
We should be rationing water to everyone, right now. Heavy fines first time for going over allowance.
These people who must have a spotless car would be fined if their car was clean---if it rains, they better put some mud on their car!
Take it serious.

Submitted by skyspy on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 7:27am.

that we don't have water, most projects will be DOA anyway. People will not move here if they have to buy water off of a truck, or use and outhouse.

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