DOT Returns Revised Transportation Wish List to Atlanta Region (Commerce: pros and cons, taxes)

[NuclearDensity]

GDOT Returns Revised Transportation Wish List to Atlanta Region

This is incredible progress for the 10-county Metro Atlanta Region. If the voter referendum passes next summer 2012, it will be the first time in Georgia history that transportion funds and projects were applied and executed in a coordinated method across county lines. The vote will be all or none for the 10-county Metro Atlanta Region - It is not a county-by-county vote. Different political factions are getting behind the referendum for different reasons (Democrats want more services for minorities and offer more transportation coverage for the poor and underserved, Republicans want to fix traffic problems and increase heavy rail transit as an incentive for businesses to locate in Metro Atlanta, Libertarians want the money to be spent wisely and efficiently with no favoritism or corruption, Greens want less pollution and more ecological transportation alternatives). There needs to be a multi-faceted marketing message to address each of these major positions.

Here is an updated list of the projects from Atlanta Regional Roundtable:

http://www.atlantaregionalroundtable.com/docs/TIA_unconstrained_list_6-1-2011.pdf (broken link)

I like the seriousness of the discussions occurring related to transportation in Georgia. If this transporation referendum is successful, perhaps a similar roundtable can address Atlanta's Water and Energy issues in the future.

[WestCobb]

This is great. Thanks for posting.

[Listennow32]

Yea this is great!

[ericsonga]

Amazing! Thanks!

[alco89]

I love it! I played around with the map a little and love every bit of it! Except for maybe the East Marta rail extension to Wesley Chapel...I don't really see the point in that. Either keep going past that point further eastward or don't do it at all.

[tonygeorgia]

Clifton, Cobb transit lines: Regional list starts to take shape *| ajc.com


Taking shape
The total available amount for projects of regional significance including roads, mass transit, bicycle and pedestrian is expected to be $6.14 billion. These projects were tentatively approved Thursday, and could still change. The dollar amounts would not fund the full projects, but could be joined by other sources of money, such as fares, federal funds or local taxes such as those from the Beltline's tax district.

• Clifton Corridor MARTA route, $700 million

• Atlanta Beltline, likely streetcars, $600 million

• Atlanta to Cumberland northwest corridor, possibly light rail, $825 million

• MARTA state of good repair funding (various upgrades), $500 million

• Restore Clayton County local bus service, $100 million

• I-85 northeast corridor, $100 million for preliminary study and planning of a possible light-rail line into Gwinnett

• Funding for Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Xpress buses, $180 million

[AnsleyPark]

Not sure if this has any meaning other than what is written, but it does make you wonder...

Lead consultant Glenn Totten resigns from metro transportation campaign team | SaportaReport

[arjay57]

Uh-oh. Looks like the Transportation Referendum is in for a battle.


Tea Party organizing to block transportation tax

[K-SawDude]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Uh-oh. Looks like the Transportation Referendum is in for a battle.


Tea Party organizing to block transportation tax

I am SO OVER these people's attempts to ruin this country at both a national, and now a local level. I'm all for a sober, reasonable assessment of the the pros and cons of an individual tax proposal. Heck, I'm not even 100% on this transit tax yet as I'm not sure it's going to be geared enough towards transit projects rather than just being more of the same ole same ole roads, roads, roads agenda.

But you can't have a reasonable debate with someone whose terms are so irrational and severe. You can't live in a society free of taxes! It's impossible. You can't have transit networks--roads or otherwise--that aren't at least somewhat regional in focus. The Tea Party's position on this issue is just so ridiculously untenable; it's almost like parody.

I'd hope the GA populace would starting tuning these people out and listening to the more sensible conservative, moderate, and liberal voices out there. It's not like this is some sort of socialist proposal. The Chamber of Commerce, Nathan Deal, and other Republican outfits have been in support thus far.

Arghhh!

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by K-SawDude

I'd hope the GA populace would starting tuning these people out and listening to the more sensible conservative, moderate, and liberal voices out there.

I sure wouldn't underestimate them. They defeated the trauma care fee, which was strongly supported by doctors and by the business community. It was only a once a year $10 fee which would have been added to your tag.

And I'd have to think the Tea Party is a whole lot stronger now than it was then.

Trauma funding vote must overcome distaste for new taxes *| ajc.com