TRIP report highlights Georgia roadway transportation projects, additional funding needed

A press conference held last week by the Georgia Transportation Alliance and TRIP, a national transportation research group, highlighted the need for increased transportation funding to improve roadways and enhance safety.

TRIP released the report titled “Modernizing Georgia’s Transportation System: Progress and Challenges in Providing Safe, Efficient and Well-Maintained Roads, Highways and Bridges”, which discusses Georgia’s specific roadway infrastructure challenges, examining the impact of Georgia’s 2015 Transportation Funding Act (TFA) and future unfunded needs.

According to the report, TFA provides $5.4 billion in funding for Georgia from 2016-2021, for several roadway and bridge infrastructure projects. Several of these projects will be completed or underway by the completion of the Act in 2021.

“Thanks to the support of elected leaders who understand the critical role that our state’s infrastructure plays in our economy and quality of life, we are making historic levels of investment and are able to better plan for future growth. That said, additional funding is without question still necessary to fully meet our needs, and we are hopeful we will be able to attract federal support while identifying additional state and local resources,” said Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurray.

While some projects will be completed with the TFA funding, more money will be needed to complete specific roadway infrastructure projects.

Traffic fatalities in Georgia have increased by 25% from 2014 to 2017, claiming the lives of 6,876 people between 2013 and 2017. Georgia’s population is anticipated to increase by 2.5 million people by 2020 and vehicle travel in the state has grown to the second highest in the nation since 2013, according to the report.

"While the recent influx of funding has allowed Georgia to make strides in improving its transportation system, more work still needs to be done to accommodate and capitalize on the tremendous growth projected for the state,” said Will Wilkins, TRIP’s Executive Director. “Georgia will need to continue to make transportation investment a top priority."

The funding and calls for additional money for roadway infrastructure projects provide opportunities for ATSSA member companies in Georgia and the surrounding area.

ATSSA member American Signal Company, based out of Atlanta, shared their thoughts on the report and how the roadways impact the success of their business.

“The size of American Signal Company’s primary products - portable message sign and work zone ITS equipment - requires that they ship on open flatbed trucks. Every year we find our freight costs rising - a cost that directly affects our ability to remain competitive in the marketplace. Road surface conditions directly impact freight haulers’ fuel expenditures, tire wear, and truck maintenance costs, so investing in additional roadway infrastructure in Georgia is crucial for our business and businesses like ours,” said Scott Covington, special projects coordinator for American Signal Company.

To learn more about Georgia’s transportation system and specific projects, read the report here.

Photo featured in report, courtesy of TRIP.