Gilltrans.net

Have been reading some good articles (a good sample one) in the AJC about what could be next after the defeat of the T-SPLOST vote in metro Atlanta.  The list of transportation will never end, the only question is what will get done and what will not.  I am certain there are projects that might have happened are now 10, 20 even 30 years out or totally out of the picture.

I am reminded of the ten years I lived in Huntsville, Alabama after I got married.  We bought an older home and we had a constant “punch list” of upgrades and fixes.  I finished the last one about 30 minutes before our Realtor put the sign in the yard, as we were moving to Atlanta for my new job.  Had we not moved, I would probably still be working on things, but that’s another story.

The T-SPLOST represented about 15% of what Metro Atlanta has on its “Honey Do” list or in this case, it is more accurately a “Honey DOT” list as in GDOT.  Without it, we may get 1 – 2% of our list addressed and likely toll roads which are not on the list but needed to fund anything really.  Gov. Deal says the GA 400 interchange with I-285 is the highest priority. Rail expansion is dead.  MARTA is in serious trouble. (No surprise, the Untie Atlanta commercial featured the sign for this interchange in front of the ball of asphalt and cars.)

It is now an opportunity for GDOT as well as all other state and local agencies to review their spending and address their highest priorities.  I hope there will be some creative and innovative solutions.