ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A one-time infusion of cash in this year’s budget will put transportation projects on a fast track. On Thursday, the Georgia Department of Transportation unveiled their plans at a board meeting.
More than 40 projects were selected. Gov. Brian Kemp pushed for the money in this year’s state budget using the state’s $16 billion surplus.
A one-time addition of $1.5 billion will be split across multiple categories. The plans outline $98 million for airport aid, $250 million for local road projects, $500 million for a freight program, $593 million for capital construction, and $50 million for capital maintenance.
“It’s going to be a shot in the arm for our state to really move projects along, make sure that we’re working on our freight and logistics to move goods and services from places like the Port of Savannah, out of our airports, and just keep our economy moving in the state, as well as our people,” said Kemp on Thursday.
The projects identified can be found here. The I-16 interchange in Savannah, SR 20 in Forsyth County, and the I-16/I-75 interchange in Macon will receive the most funding.
“The No. 1 state to build and grow a business, Georgia is not slowing down in our goal to increase economic opportunities,” said Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. “Investing surplus budget funds in existing and future transportation infrastructure is critical to ensure our businesses can expand, goods and services can be transported, and our citizens arrive safely to their destinations. I want to thank Governor Kemp, Speaker Burns and Commissioner McMurry for their partnership to keep Georgia moving forward.”
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