Atlanta commission agrees to draft list of $6.14 billion transportation projects

The Executive Committee of the Atlanta Regional Transportation Roundtable reached a unanimous agreement on a draft list of transportation projects to get the region moving in the next 10 years. The five-member committee voted to approve a $6.14 billion draft list of transportation projects to be potentially funded by a penny sales tax to come before voters next year. "Today, the Roundtable Executive Committee worked tirelessly to craft a constrained list of priority projects that represent tremendous benefits to the entire region," said Norcross mayor, Bucky Johnson, chairman of the Roundtable Executive Committee. "We had representatives from all the major jurisdictions in the Atlanta region rolling up their sleeves to help the Executive Committee select projects with the greatest impact. By working creatively and cooperatively, we approved a constrained list of investments today that can usher in a new era of transportation possibilities for our residents." With public feedback, the five-member Roundtable Executive Committee completed their task of narrowing a $22 billion list of projects down to $6.14 billion. That meant whittling a regional list of more than 400 transportation projects to just over 100 in two and a half months. The list now must be approved by the full 21-member roundtable by October 15 and submitted to the Georgia Department of Transportation. The next meeting of the full roundtable will be held on Friday, September 16. Rail-related projects that are part of the draft include: MARTA North Heavy Rail Line Extension to SR 140: Project cost of $903,900,000 ($37,000,000 funding commitment). Atlanta Beltline Streetcar Circulator and Trail: Project cost of $1,547,100,000 ($601,892,477 funding commitment). Northwest Corridor (Acworth to Arts Center Station) Fixed Guideway Transit - Phase 1 from Midtown to Cumberland: Project cost of $1,234,900,000 ($856,499,900 funding commitment). I-85 North Transit Corridor (all phases): Project cost of $1,303,300,000 ($95,000,000 funding commitment). MARTA State of Good Repair and Station Enhancements (consolidated): Project cost unknown ($600,000,000 funding commitment). MARTA East Heavy Rail Line Extension from Indian Creek Station to Wesley Chapel Road Near I-20 East: Project cost of $791,600,000 ($225,000,000 funding commitment). Clifton Corridor Transit - Rail Corridor Phases 1A, 1B and 1C: Project cost of $1,113,400,000 ($700,000,000 funding commitment).