Transportation

Strategic Planning ★ Mass Transit ★ Swift Action ★ Leadership

To overcome Georgia's transportation problems, we need a Governor who is a determined and collaborative leader. Clearly we don't need another study, Blue Ribbon Commission or working group to tell us that we must to take action now. As Governor, I will dust off the existing studies on the shelves of the state bureaucracy and get to work on immediate infrastructure projects that will improve Georgia's quality of life and provide industry with the routes needed to bring jobs to our state.

In addition, I will jump start the intermediate and long range strategic planning process to ultimately produce an extensive system of rail, roads and paths that will provide for the transportation needs of Georgia families and businesses for the next 50-70 years.

As Governor, I will:

• Direct the Board of Transportation to dust off every transportation study on the shelf and call for a Transportation Summit to prioritize these projects using planning guidelines, not political influence
• Sign legislation giving voters the option of levying a sales tax dedicated to transportation
• Maximize and leverage all available federal funds for transportation infrastructure, especially public transit
• Sign an Executive Order that authorizes and encourages tele-working and flex time commuting for state workers that will alleviate the number of cars on the road during the busiest drive times
• Develop a long range plan to relocate state agencies that no longer need to be in downtown Atlanta
• Direct the Board of Transportation to identify the top 100 traffic congested intersections and surface streets, so we can begin re-engineering them to reduce congestion in those areas
• Move forward with long term strategic planning for expanded commuter options, beginning by creating a complete system of mass transit for the greater metropolitan Atlanta area and later linking other population centers of the state to both Atlanta and our neighboring southeastern states
• Work with the stakeholders to find workable solutions to MARTA's governance and funding issues
• Do everything necessary to expand the Port of Savannah in a way that will attract more shipping and create more jobs
• Expand rail options for cargo, especially around our ports
• Reduce the number of intersections of heavily congested rails and roads with construction of bridges and over-passes
• Ensure that Georgians, especially those with physical limitations, have access to reliable public transportation
• Dedicate resources to upgrading our aging bridges and infrastructure before disaster strikes
• Support and encourage local initiatives which promote the development of more "liveable" communities with a wide variety of transportation options
• Direct the Board of Transportation to create new routes for 18-wheeler trucks that will direct that traffic away from our metro areas to ease traffic congestion

We can't just pave our way out of our transportation problems. However, we shouldn't sit on our hands just because thoughtful solutions are complicated and challenging. We will have to work harder and smarter to reduce traffic in metro areas, keep economic development arteries open across the state and plan for strategic development of new rail options for commuters and cargo. With strong leadership and collaborative working relationships, we can change our "single-passenger commuter" culture and build a Georgia where our citizens can live, work and play with more flexible transportation options.