Ever since officials with the Western & Atlantic Railroad drove the zero mile post into the ground in 1837 near what is now Underground Atlanta, transportation has been the lifeblood of metro Atlanta. As the 10-county region has grown to more than 4 million people, transportation infrastructure in the form of three major interstates, ninth-largest transit system in the country and world’s busiest airport has cemented the region’s status as the dominant economy in the Southeast.
Transportation is so important to the region that residents in a recent survey called it “the biggest problem facing residents of metro Atlanta.” That survey was the Atlanta Regional Commission’s second annual Metro Atlanta Speaks public opinion poll. We asked metro Atlantans for their perceptions of how the region fares on important issues like education, transportation, quality of life, health and the economy. When given a list of such topics, respondents in seven of the 10 counties surveyed named transportation as the top concern.
Residents have some definite ideas about how to address transportation challenges. According to the statistically valid survey, public transit has strong support throughout the region. A strong plurality (42 percent) of metro Atlanta residents say expanding transit is the “best way to fix traffic problems.” Clayton County residents confirmed their support for transit by voting earlier this month to become part of the MARTA system.
Perhaps more telling were answers to another transportation question: “How important is public transit to the future of metro Atlanta?” Overall, 70 percent responded it is “very important,” with another 22 percent saying it is “somewhat important.” That’s 92 percent of metro Atlantans who believe public transit is important to the region’s future.
At least 74 percent of respondents in every county said public transit is either very important or somewhat important. That number was higher than 90 percent in six of the 10 counties.
Unfortunately, public transit is expensive, federal funding is dwindling, and local governments don’t have the means to close the gap.
There are bright spots on the horizon, however. Before the end of the year, the Atlanta Streetcar will begin operating, providing crosstown connections between the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District and Centennial Olympic Park. MARTA is beginning a study of rail service from the Lindbergh station to Emory University and on to Avondale.
Several game-changing road projects are also underway. The Georgia Department of Transportation is working to improve the interchange of Ga. 400 and I-285 while adding express toll lanes to I-75 north and south of Atlanta. Meanwhile, people in north Fulton are seriously discussing an expansion of MARTA rail up Ga. 400. Folks in Cobb and Gwinnett counties are trying to find ways to bring fixed-route transit to their major corridors, too.
However, funding for critical infrastructure remains a challenge at both the national and state levels. Americans are driving fewer miles than in the past, and cars are more fuel-efficient than ever before. These factors mean federal and state motor fuel taxes do not generate as much revenue as they did even 10 years ago.
Other metro regions competing with us for jobs, workers and federal transportation dollars are finding ways to fund their infrastructure. Denver is spending 300 percent more on capital projects than Atlanta; Dallas is spending 280 percent more. They are doing so through state and local taxes approved by their regions’ voters. As a result, they are gaining a competitive edge attracting the jobs and workers every metropolitan area needs.
Here in Georgia, the General Assembly’s Joint Study Committee on Critical Transportation Infrastructure Funding will wrap up its work later this month. It will develop a recommendation for legislative consideration in 2015. We hope it will be a bold and fruitful recommendation.
Metro Atlanta is home to more than half of Georgia’s population and more than 60 percent of its economy. There is no doubt keeping the region moving and providing options in the capital city is good for the entire state.
Douglas R. Hooker is executive director of the Atlanta Regional Commission.
