Politics & Government

Learn More About Transportation Act

The City, County and Chamber are encouraging residents to learn more about the transportation act at two upcoming meetings.

, and the are partnering to educate residents on an upcoming vote that could bring shorter drive times for motorists, new jobs, and industry and offer a better quality of life.

Metro Atlanta drivers have the longest commute in the country according to the Transform Metro Atlanta website. The average trip time is two hours and seven minutes. Imagine how much drivers could get done at home or on the job if those numbers were cut in half.

On July 31, residents across the state and the 10-county Atlanta region including Douglas, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties, as well as the City of Atlanta have the opportunity to vote on a referendum that would fund $8.5 billion in transportation improvements through a regional one percent sales tax. Since this is a sales tax, that means anyone who travels through Douglas County and spends money will contribute to this fund thus helping pay for the local improvement projects.

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Douglas County Commission Chairman Tom Worthan has spent the last year serving on the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Transportation Committee Roundtable.

“This vote is important to our residents because approximately 70 percent of our workforce leaves our County each day to travel to their jobs. As a member of the executive committee I had direct input in creating the final project list which includes regional projects that would significantly impact our residents in a positive way,” Worthan said in a press release.

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The idea behind this opportunity called the Transportation Investment Act is to transform traffic in Metro Atlanta and surrounding areas. The addition of one penny can raise more than $7 billion dollars to be used in the 10-County region. Douglas County will receive direct funding if the vote passes.

“We would receive enough money to resurface and maintain all of our local roads for years to come,” said Worthan.

A few of the major Douglas County projects are the 92 By-pass, I-20 and 285 Interchange, widening of Bankhead Highway and Lee Rd.

Gas tax revenue is the primary source of transportation funding but it is steadily declining as cars and trucks become more fuel efficient. Currently, 70 percent of that funding will be spent to simply maintain the existing roads and systems over the next 30 years.

The demand to improve traffic reaches far and wide when it comes to attracting business and industry to our state. There is a desperate need for jobs whether you live in the city or rural areas thus quantifying the importance of creating a driving environment that is inviting to potential prospects.

President Kali Boatright says, “The Chamber is involved in the successful passage of the Transportation Referendum because ease of mobility is critical to the success of our community. Many of our residents commute to Atlanta and deal with the hassle of the I-285/I-20 interchange each day, and our community is bi-sected by I-20 with major arteries feeding our businesses located just off I-20. The vote on July 31 is our opportunity to support our businesses and residents, and there simply is no plan B.”

The Transportation Investment Act provides an in-depth-plan to address our current and future transportation problems. City of Douglasville Mayor Harvey Persons invites residents to learn more about the upcoming vote.

“The City of Douglasville and Douglas County are working together to provide information to our citizens about the Atlanta regional transportation program and the local projects included in this important plan that will be decided by the voters on July 31. I urge people to attend the Transportation Improvement Act (TIA) public information meeting on Thursday, May 17, at the Courthouse or on Monday, June 11, at the Downtown Conference Center,” Persons said.


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