Transportation in Georgia

In the last 40 years, we have experienced unprecedented growth in the metro Atlanta region. We have grown in Cherokee County due to our excellent schools and high quality of life. Because of the explosive growth and the cumbersome bureaucracy in building roads, we have gotten behind and are now in the position where we are losing our competitive advantage from an economic development standpoint.

A Few Facts on Transportation in Georgia:

- The state of Georgia is 49th per capita in spending on roads in the United States. Only Tennessee spends less per capita than Georgia.
- We have the second-lowest motor fuel tax in the nation.
- We are rated in the Top 5 in the nation on road maintenance and the quality of our highway system.
- Ten years ago, the Georgia Dept. of Transportation (GDOT) had more than 10,000 employees; today, that number is 4,950 employees.
- GDOT is the only state agency that pays its own debt service. Before 1992, all GDOT debt was paid out of the General Fund. Since 2002, all debt service is paid by GDOT. Our total debt service in fiscal year 2014 will reach $500 million.
- Our motor fuel dollars have gone from $1.047 billion in 2008 to $830 million this year. Motorists are driving less and driving more efficient vehicles.
- Because of the increased debt service and the reduction in motor fuel collections, we may be in position for the first time in Georgia's history to not have enough money to meet our federal match. Thus, we will leave millions of dollars on the table.

Red Tape is Costing Us Millions
We must streamline the permitting process. We have too much regulation and red tape before we are allowed to put a shovel in the dirt and build a road. Once we put the shovel in the dirt and begin building the road, usually we come in ahead of schedule. For example, when we began the southern end of Westside Parkway in Alpharetta nine years ago, the estimated cost was $16 million. Because we had federal dollars in the equation, the federal permitting part of the project took five years. Because of the five-year permitting process, the cost of materials and right-a-way increased — causing the project to go from $16 million to $25 million. We built the same road we planned to build, but it cost taxpayers $9 million more! Once we started the construction, we came in four months ahead of schedule.

I know we can streamline the process and build roads and bridges faster. For example, when the Minnesota Bridge collapsed, that bridge was replaced and re-opened in 437 days — a far cry from nine years. For us to streamline the bureaucratic process, it will take political will, courage and leadership.