Metro Atlanta took a big step last week toward creating greater mobility, bolstering economic development and creating a better quality of life when the executive committee of the Atlanta Regional Transportation Roundtable adopted a $6.14 billion draft list of transportation investments.
Getting to this point has truly been a regionwide effort, involving residents, business and civic leaders, as well as elected officials from all levels of state, regional and local government. The 5-0 “yes” vote is a huge building block that creates positive momentum toward a new era of mobility and regional cooperation.
In June, the five-member executive committee began with a list of more than 400 projects priced at $23 billion. Since then, they narrowed that list to just over 100 projects at $6.1 billion, as instructed by the Transportation Investment Act, the state law providing the opportunity for a regional referendum.
This list must now be finalized and approved by the entire 21-member roundtable by mid-October to go to voters in 2012. If successful, this could be the largest regional public works project ever seen here, or just about anywhere else in the country.
It was certainly challenging as the leaders of 10 unique counties with a wide array of needs worked together to address some of the region’s biggest transportation concerns. In the end, the executive committee unanimously affirmed a $6.14 billion draft list of investments, building a foundation of cooperation that bodes well for the completion of the roundtable’s work.
The current list was created with the help of more than 100,000 residents from our 10 counties, who participated in the roundtable’s telephone town hall meetings, took online surveys, answered polls or just volunteered their opinions. Now, members of the full roundtable will invite more public feedback through 12 public forums in September, before finalizing the referendum list of projects by Oct. 15.
With continued focus, cooperation and input from our residents and civic leaders, the roundtable can adopt the best possible set of investments for keeping the Atlanta region on course to lead the Southeast and the nation out of recession and to a better place for all.
There is still much work to be done, but thanks are in order. From Gov. Nathan Deal to state legislators, business leaders, interest groups, local governments, planning professionals and residents, everyone involved seems to recognize what a rare opportunity the region has to improve all of our lives.
Bucky Johnson is Norcross mayor and chairman of the Atlanta Regional Transportation Roundtable.
