Hardly anyone living in metro Atlanta was untouched by the recent snow and ice storm. Clogged interstates, major roads and streets all across the state were perilous. Many hundreds of thousands were inconvenienced. Others were put in harm’s way or even in life-threatening and fatal situations. Not surprisingly, we are hearing the familiar refrain that rail transit is the answer to the problem. Really?
Some are calling for a regional governance solution to the transportation issues we face. We already have a solution. It’s called the state of Georgia. Under the direction of the governor, we have two agencies directly tasked and funded to maintain our state roads and prepare for emergencies: the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.
Last month, we learned that GDOT spent $300,000 on an economic feasibility study for passenger rail from Columbus to Atlanta. Depending on the system chosen, the estimated cost ranges between $1.3 billion and $3.9 billion for the three alternative train systems evaluated. The system would provide one stop between the two cities and take between 1 and 1.5 hours for the one-way commute costing between $33.50 and $41.42. Economic development is always touted as the major benefit. Of course, the real beneficiaries of these transit boondoggles are the private interests that stand to make money off taxpayer-financed infrastructure.
The Concept 3 Regional Transportation Plan approved by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) would cost more than $50 billion to build and operate through 2030. This plan consists of new heavy rail, light rail, commuter rail, bus rapid transit, other modes and transportation infrastructure for the 10-county ARC Region. Even with this massive investment, the argument for rail transit as a solution to deal with snow and ice doesn’t hold water. People still have to get from work to the train, to their cars, to the schools to pick up their children, and then home.
Consider that densely populated New York City, which probably has the most expansive transit system in the country with the most complex snow and emergency preparedness plans, is often shut down from winter storms.
To satisfy a cost-versus-benefit analysis and provide the density necessary to justify these kinds of investments would require a fundamental reorientation of residential housing and zoning, encouraging or coercing citizens to move closer to mass transit arteries. What would happen to existing residential property values to accomplish this goal? To some this may sound like Utopia; to others, it’s reminiscent of “The Hunger Games.”
There are no guarantees when the next disaster will occur. No amount of trains, buses or roads will outsmart Mother Nature. Fortunately, the recent storm was short-lived. We didn’t panic. Through selfless acts of Georgians, we helped one another with food, warmth and shelter. Let this be a lesson. We should all take personal responsibility for our own emergency preparedness. Hopefully, the governor, GDOT and GEMA will coordinate and cooperate with county and city leaders to do the same.
Field Searcy, of Cobb County, represents RepealRegionalism.com, a campaign by the Transportation Leadership Coalition LLC, which opposed the T-SPLOST.
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