08 LC 34
1721S
The
House Committee on Transportation offers the following substitute to SR
781:
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the Georgia Department of Transportation to develop a state-wide strategic
transportation plan and to take certain other actions; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
in order to allow Georgia's businesses to prosper and its citizens to enjoy a
reasonably congestion free lifestyle, a strategic transportation plan should be
developed that encompasses the whole state, not just a specific region of the
state; and
WHEREAS,
federal, state, and local governments are facing funding shortfalls for the
building and maintenance of transportation infrastructure; and
WHEREAS,
the deteriorating condition of existing roads, bridges, and other transportation
facilities, along with the delays in building new facilities, causes safety
issues, gridlock, and congestion and reduces the public's ability to move about
the state; and
WHEREAS,
the Joint Study Committee on Alternative Transportation Funding has studied the
myriad issues surrounding transportation in all corners of this state and
proposes the following items be considered and included in a state-wide
transportation plan:
1.
Georgia must begin to utilize public-private initiatives (PPIs) to raise capital
to start and maintain transportation facilities, when a project meets the
criteria for a PPI. A PPI allows necessary projects to be constructed at a much
faster pace with less of a financial burden on the government and the costs of
the project can be leveraged against future revenues to be generated by the
project;
2.
Georgia should implement, as soon as practicable, high occupancy toll lanes (HOT
lanes) to electronically toll drivers who desire to travel in low congestion
lanes for a price.
3.
Georgia must begin to attract private capital into the transportation arena by
preparing and implementing proposals to have private companies build and
maintain transportation facilities on behalf of the state. The private
companies will be offered concessions (such as toll revenue) in order to make
the deal palatable to investors; and
4.
Georgia must realize that it will be impossible to build highways fast enough to
handle the demand for mobility that the future is sure to bring. A public
transit system that is accessible, fast, and safe must be included in any viable
transportation plan. Whether by express buses, light or heavy rail, or mag-lev
train, or any combination thereof, Georgia must fund and construct a modern
public transit system in order to continue the dynamic economic growth of this
state.
WHEREAS,
the first step to assuring Georgians of a bright and mobile future is the
development of a state-wide strategic transportation plan to accomplish this
goal. A state-wide plan should eliminate construction of transportation
projects based on political expediency and promote construction based on
recognized project criteria that are set forth in the state-wide strategic
transportation plan.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that this body
urges the Department of Transportation to develop a state-wide strategic
transportation plan, including the elements set forth in this resolution, to
assure all Georgians of a mobile and prosperous future.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the Department of Transportation to
report to the General Assembly by December 31, 2008, on its progress in
developing a state-wide strategic transportation plan.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the
Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation and to each member of
the State Transportation Board.