Commission: Transit funding one of metro Atlanta's top challenges
Transit funding and governance tops the Atlanta Regional Commission’s list of challenges facing the metro area, the agency announced Wednesday.
Preparing for autonomous vehicles and accommodating increased freight traffic also are high on the ARC’s list of the Atlanta region’s challenges. The agency says the list indicates issues “that must be addressed to ensure the region remains economically competitive and a great place to live.”
The list comes as the General Assembly is considering creating a regional board to oversee transit funding and construction in 13 Atlanta-area counties. Specific legislation may be unveiled this week.
“When companies like State Farm, NCR and Amazon are searching for a new headquarters with access to transit, we have no choice but to focus on this as a region,” state Rep. Kevin Tanner, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said in a press release announcing the ARC’s list.
Here’s a look at ARC’s complete list of challenges:
- Establishing regional transit funding and governance
- Preparing for autonomous and connected vehicles
- Accommodating increasing freight traffic
- Matching available jobs and qualified workers
- Planning for increasing automation in the workforce
- Increasing access to housing affordability and jobs
- Managing impact of e-commerce on retail space and traffic
- Fostering communities that work for all ages and abilities
- Improving third-grade reading skills
- Maintaining regional water planning and stewardship
About the Author
David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues. Previously, he covered local government and politics in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Before moving to Atlanta, he worked at newspapers in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
