06 LC 38
0028
House
Resolution 1237
By:
Representatives Buckner of the
76th,
Dodson of the
75th,
Barnes of the
78th,
Lunsford of the
110th,
Sinkfield of the
60th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Requesting
that if there is a shortfall in subsidizing the Lovejoy to Atlanta rail project,
the Department of Transportation and Georgia Regional Transportation Authority
shall cover the costs; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Department of Transportation has been in the process of negotiating
an agreement with Norfolk Southern Railroad for implementation of a Lovejoy to
Atlanta commuter rail project; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Department of Transportation plans to spend $106 million of federal
and state transportation dollars on this project; and
WHEREAS,
absent additional federal or state funds, the responsibility of paying for the
rail line's operational costs falls to the counties and municipalities along
rail line's route; and
WHEREAS,
requiring the counties and municipalities along the rail line to carry the
burden of subsidizing the rail line's operational costs is inherently unfair;
and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Department of Transportation's cost estimates indicate that
approximately $4 million in additional annual operating subsidies will be
required after the initial three-year start-up period.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that it is the
sense of this body that the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia
Regional Transportation Authority should provide funds to cover any shortfall in
the operational costs for the Lovejoy to Atlanta commuter rail
project.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall deliver
a copy of this resolution to the appropriate official of the county and
municipal governments along the line of the proposed project and to the
commissioner of transportation.