$7 million to fund transportation study group

By Christopher Quinn

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Tech will be the hub of a network of colleges and universities that is getting $7 million to study the state's transportation infrastructure.

Enlarge photo

Hyosub Shin, hshin@ajc.com A Marta train goes over I-85 southbound and northbound traffic near the Brookwood Exchange on Wednesday afternoon, December 28, 2011.

Election 2012: Across the nation

• Warning signs for Obama on path to electoral votes
• A state-by-state look at the road to 270
• Obama, Romney try to play it safe in 2012 gamble
• FACT CHECK: Obama off on thrifty spending claim
• FACT CHECK: Obama off on thrifty spending claim
• Delegate count: Who's leading GOP?

• Political Insider / Jim Galloway »

  Going home

• Washington Insider / Jamie Dupree »

  Obama Reply on Education

• PolitiFact Georgia »

  Colleen Kiernan: "For every one mile of light-rail track that will be built, 16 miles of new road capacity will be built."
   

More Georgia politics stories »

• Senate leader piles up free tickets
• Local, state and congressional candidates who qualified this week
• Deal gets chance to shape high court
• Ga. Politics news, helpful links

From Savannah's port to Atlanta's airport, transportation is a strength for Georgia but also one of its challenges, Gov. Nathan Deal said when he announced the program Friday. Solutions coming from the study group could play a key role in keeping Georgia competitive in the economy, he said.

The study group includes Clark Atlanta University, Georgia State University, Southern Polytechnic State University and Spelman College.

Catherine Ross, the director of Georgia Tech's Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development, said an advisory panel has agreed on broad principles for the program to focus on, including global competitiveness. The group could help in the development of everything from logistics software to economic development, she said. The money could come as early as spring, and the panel will begin its work of choosing which studies to pay for, Ross said.

The $7 million includes $3.5 million from the federal Department of Transportation and a matching amount from the state Department of Transportation, the Woodruff Foundation and other sources.