Solving Transportation Issues at the Metro and Regional Levels Impacts the State

Georgia's ability to continue to attract and retain business and jobs is directly linked to solving its state-wide transportation issues. The Perimeter sub-market, one of the largest in the southeast, is aggressively moving forward in addressing issues of congestion in the district.

Thanks to its partners-DeKalb and Fulton Counties, the Governor andGDOT,GRTA, SRTA, ARC and MARTA-the PCIDs (includes Fulton and DeKalb Perimeter CIDs) is working to improve transportation access, mobility and choice. From sidewalks and pathways that provide connectivity to rail stations to intersection improvements, synchronization of traffic signals, bridges, the I-285 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the GA 400 Collector/Distributor systems, each project is designed to support metro, regional and state goals.The Governors Fast Forward Transportation initiative accelerates the I-285 BRT and Collector/Distributor systems.

Traffic flow is one of the state's most challenging problems. Through these private and public partnerships, viable transportation solutions are being addressed and moved forward.The PCIDs has been instrumental in leading the charge to assist and support the implementation of critical transportation improvements that will enhance the quality of life for residents and continue economic vitality in the metro area. The ultimate benefit of these projects will also be felt at the state level.

The transportation improvements are designed, prioritized and accelerated to spur economic development, create jobs and retain businesses. These improvement projects then receive funding and support from Fulton and DeKalb County Governments and the Governor'sFast Forward program, not only because of their effect on traffic flow, but because of their importance in helping the state be more attractive to businesses and employees.

Businesses locate based on a number of factors, including accessibility, getting goods to market, communications and quality of life issues for employees. The challenge for the state is to find organizations that can help tackle transportation and infrastructure improvements at the metro and regional level.

The CID model provides such a partnership tool to commit additional revenues to assist local and state governments and agencies, to unite other private business interests around a project and to increase the resources available for design and construction to accelerate projects. Currently, this self-taxing district is leveraging its investment of $16 million to a return of over $500,000,000 in transportation improvement projects.

The ultimate benefit is that new cross-jurisdictional relationships and partnerships between the individual CIDs in metro Atlanta can create opportunities for increasing overall transportation funding for the state. As more areas adopt the CID model or other initiatives that fit their business communities, it increases the possibilities for exchange of information, overall transportation resource increases, cross-jurisdictional planning, support of regional concepts and assistance to local governments in implementing infrastructure improvements.

The bottom line is that the PCIDs and other CIDs and their partners address projects that bring immediate results as well as those that contribute to overall transportation solutions that provide long-term enhancement, quality of life and economic viability to the region and, ultimately, to the state.