Atlanta Forward, Another View: Georgia needs to get its act together
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood flew into Atlanta Monday to talk about new directions in transportation at the federal level. By the time he left, eyes had been opened to possibilities on the horizon.
At a forum sponsored by the Atlanta Regional Commission, LaHood was candid about opportunities and barriers to mobility. He brought resources, urged leaders to be proactive and pledged to cut red tape at the federal level.
The Obama administration has made available $28 billion in stimulus funds for transportation improvements across the nation — some $900 million to Georgia, with the Atlanta region receiving about $603 million. This unexpected cash infusion prevented ARC from having to slash by half the planned regional transportation investments for this metro region over the next six years.
LaHood expressed the administration’s strong support for more transit alternatives. He encouraged state support for MARTA and noted streetcars are on their way back — citing the success of Portland, Ore.’s system. This kind of thinking is potentially good news for the proposed Peachtree Streetcar and bodes well for federal support for our region’s comprehensive, coordinated Concept 3 Transit Plan.
But, the centerpiece of the Secretary’s remarks revolved around the need to find ways to closely link and coordinate federal investments in transportation, housing, air quality and water infrastructure through the Administration’s Livable Communities program. LaHood touted ARC’s Livable Centers Initiative as a 10-year-old veteran of this concept. “We need look no further than your Livable Centers Initiative for a successful example ...,” said LaHood. Going forward, he pledged that livability will be a key part of federal transportation policy.
LaHood chastised our state to “get its act together” regarding a coordinated plan to bring high-speed rail to the Southeast. Some hope has been created by Mayor Shirley Franklin’s meeting with mayors of Charlotte and Greenville to work on a cooperative plan.
LaHood left us with a message we hope gets through. “Things get done when people put their personal agendas and egos aside and work toward common outcomes,” he said. It’s good to know that if we can get our act together, the federal government has our back.
Chick Krautler is director of the Atlanta Regional Commission.
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