Governor Deal Unveils Transportation Improvement Plan

ATLANTA - Governor Nathan Deal unveiled details of a plan to improve transportation in Georgia at a news conference on Tuesday. The announcement included an 18-month project list, representing a $2.2 billion investment. It also included a 20-year list, representing more than $10 billion in investment. 

App users: Click here to watch the announcement

“One year ago, I stood before the General Assembly and urged members to prioritize Georgia’s transportation needs,” said Deal. “In order to maintain our roads and bridges, improve congestion and accommodate the movement of freight traffic, we could no longer afford to kick the can down the road. Legislators on both sides of the aisle took action, working together to pass legislation addressing these critical needs. Today, we are delivering on our promise. 

The announcement comes the week state lawmakers return to the Capitol for the start of the 2016 General Assembly session.

"Over the next 18 months, GDOT will deliver contracts that resurface nearly 2,500 miles of roads, replace more than 100 bridges, and provide critical rehabilitation to more than 300 bridges," said GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry. "Our first priority is to take care of the existing transportation system which is reflected in our vision for the next decade and beyond."

Governor Deal also launched an accountability measure to track spending and progress. 

Last year, lawmakers approved a significant increase in funding for transportation in Georgia. That new law will raise about $1 billion each year to pay for highway construction and maintenance. The money comes from higher gas taxes and a new fee on hotel stays.

Governor Deal spoke briefly about transportation in remarks at the Eggs and Issues Breakfast sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Tuesday morning. At the event, the Governor described his announcement as "the unveiling of the most aggressive plan for the improvement of our transportation corridors since the first Interstate Highways came to our state."