Q&A on the News

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Q: With production of the 2011 Kia Sorento under way, are guided tours available at the state-of-the-art assembly plant in West Point? How many authorized Kia dealers are there in the state of Georgia?

— Scott MacLean,
Forest Park

A: Kia plans to offer free factory tours this spring, but the dates have not been determined, Kia spokeswoman Joanne Mabrey said. The $1 billion plant, about 80 miles southwest of Atlanta, officially began mass production of cars Nov. 16. There are 22 Kia dealers in Georgia.

Q: Where is the money going that is collected from the toll on Ga. 400? Who is responsible for the accounting of these monies? — Jeanne Frazier, Atlanta

A: There are two principal payments and three interest payments remaining on the bonds on Ga. 400, said Cherie Gibson, spokeswoman for the State Road & Tollway Authority. The total remaining balance is $17.7 million. All tolls collected are used to pay down bond debt, operate and maintain the road and assist in financing SRTA’s overall operations, she said. The SRTA Board, which is chaired by the governor, is responsible for the accounting of funds and annually adopts a budget to operate the system and meet authority obligations, Gibson said.

Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).