Central Georgia corridor study... keeping business moving in Georgia [Vol. 1, no. 3 (July 2003)]

Thank You

As the HPC6 and US 280 Studies draw to a close, GDOT would like to express our gratitude for your participation as a stakeholder in these two studies that will impact the mobility and economic development of the State of Georgia for many years to come.
In any transportation plan or project, success in building consensus between

the public, competing interest groups, and the transportation decision makers is dependent upon the strength of the public involvement effort.
An effective public involvement program opens lines of communication for a free exchange of ideas, and the process often serves to identify circumstances, opportunities, and impacts that may not have been recognized otherwise.

With substantial involvement from groups and individuals affected by a plan or project, there is a greater likelihood that the product will meet the communities' transportation goals and therefore, engender public support.
As always, should you have any questions about these or other on-going studies, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Public Meetings
Georgia Department of Transportation

Stakeholder Meetings

Newsletters

No. 2 Capitol Square Atlanta, GA 30334-1002
Phone: 404-657-6699 Fax: 404-657-5228 Email:
robert.hughes@dot.state.ga.us
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Central Georgia Corridor Study

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How It All Began

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... keeping business moving in Georgia

July 2003 Volume 1, Issue 3

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) a National Corridor Planning and Development (NCPD) Program grant in May 1999. The purpose of the grant was to evaluate the Georgia portion of the strategic east-west freight corridor, designated as High Priority Corridor Six (HPC 6), and make recommendations to more expediently connect Georgia's Atlantic ports to the west. HPC 6 is one of 44 high priority corridors identified by Congress and one of two located in Georgia. HPC 6 follows I-16, SR 96, and US 80 in central Georgia and continues along US 80 through Alabama to Meridian, Mississippi .
GDOT broadened the study to include a thorough evaluation of transportation, commodity movement, and economic development in a 45-county study area in central Georgia. Anchored by Columbus on the west, Savannah/Brunswick on the east, and Macon/Warner Robins in the center, central Georgia's study area encompasses both rural and urban counties strategically located to grow into a stronger and more influential "engine" driving the state's economy south of Atlanta. US 280, recently designated as a GRIP corridor, was specifically added to the study due to its significance as an east-west freight movement and economic development route through central Georgia.

Inside this issue:

What's Next? 2
US 280 Corridor 3 Study Contact and 3 Website

Thank You

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HPC 6 Corridor Management Plan

During the three phases of the Central Georgia Corridor Study, data from technical analysis and interviews with stakeholders and users of the transportation system resulted in the identification of 650 potentially deficient locations. These freight focused locations were screened to identify those with a congestion or safety deficiency. The study identified 34 deficient locations that met the criteria. Seven projects along HPC 6 that would be the most competitive for NCPD funding were defined in detail, with a

freight related need and purpose statement supporting each project.
Transportation system deficiencies were identified through various methods. Technical data from the Road Characteristics Inventory (RCI) and Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) databases were reviewed. These databases, maintained by GDOT and USDOT, provide current and historic information about the state's highway system. Interviews with stakeholders, includ-

ing Regional Development Center (RDC) staff, economic development organization members, and GDOT staff, were conducted to identify potential deficient locations. Study team members also observed and noted deficiencies during numerous field visits and inventories.
Project descriptions were developed for the final 34 identified deficient locations or roadway segments, along with cost estimates and recommended implementation phases (short, mid,
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or long-range). Implementation phasing for the projects located on the Interstate system were deferred for further analysis during development of the Georgia Interstate System Plan, currently underway and scheduled for completion in early 2004.
In addition to the 34 projects, many of the deficiencies identified during the study were recommended for implementa-

tion as best practices during future construction or rehabilitation of existing intersections, roadways, or bridges. These recommended best practices consist of shoulder widenings, including the inside shoulders of Interstates; requirements for future bridge replacements; intersection resurfacing; railroad crossing grade separations; passing lanes; and white topping (concrete overlay on asphalt) at high truck

movement intersections. NCPD funding is limited
and therefore very competitive among high priority corridors throughout the nation. A key focus of this study and the resultant corridor plan was to define a short list of improvements with the greatest potential for providing overall benefit to the freightmoving capacity of HPC 6.

What's Next?

GDOT will utilize the package of NCPD recommended projects to compete with other high priority corridors for NCPD funding. The freight movement related need and purpose developed for each project will provide a strong basis in selection for the funding. While the requirements for NCPD related funds may change under future federal transportation legislation, GDOT's need and purpose

based approach for requesting NCPD funds through Georgia's Congressional delegation will provide a competitive edge for Georgia's pursuit of future NCPD funding.
In addition to the 34 projects identified for enhancing freight and military movement in the central Georgia corridor and the seven projects considered to be most competitive for NCPD

funding, other freight movement deficiencies were identified through the study. A list of pavement, bridge, and railroad crossing deficiencies has been provided to each GDOT District Planning and Programming Engineer in the study area for their utilization in enhancing freight and military movement throughout the study area.

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... keeping business moving in Georgia

US 280 Corridor Study

Central Georgia Corridor Study work plan activities focused on setting the groundwork for prioritization of sections of the US 280 corridor to be widened to four lanes. The first phase of the study determined current status of the corridor's economy, identified industry clusters, and estimated the dependence of industries on freight transportation infrastructure. During the second phase, system characteristics, including traffic volumes, truck percentages, roadway capacities, and accident experience were examined. This information was vital to development of the corridor section rating analysis and prioritization of projects during the third study phase.
The Central Georgia Corridor is characterized by a diverse population with low income, high poverty, and high unemployment. Three initiatives were undertaken in 2000 to address economic and

transportation conditions in Georgia. The Georgia Rural Development Council (GRDC), together with the Georgia Institute of Technology, developed The State of Rural Georgia Report, while the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute prepared The Power Alley Initiative: An Assessment of the Economic Development Potential of State Infrastructure Investment in South Georgia. A third study prepared by
"System characteristics, including traffic volumes, truck
percentages, roadway capacities, and accident experience were examined."
Dr. Douglas Bachtel of the University of Georgia, entitled An Analysis of the Governor's Road Improvement Program (GRIP), addresses the relationship of GRIP and eco-

nomic development. The three studies identified that one key factor to sustain community growth is to maximize investment return through transportation infrastructure investment, although economic development does not depend upon transportation investment alone. Transportation improvements must be accompanied by community development improvements such as increased educational and vocational training, job readiness skills, quality day care, and available and affordable housing. Equally important is the cooperation between state and local governmental officials and the private sector. An effective and efficient transportation system is a key component of economic development and a more prosperous future.

For More Information
Detailed information for the HPC6 Corridor Management Plan and the US 280 Corridor Study can be accessed from the Central Georgia Corridor Study web page located at:
http://www.dot.state.ga.us/DOT/plan-prog/planning/studies/ centralgeorgia

Information now available at the website includes: Executive Summaries HPC 6 Corridor Management Plan US 280 Corridor Management Plan Newsletters
July 2003

Where can I go to learn more?
You may contact the Georgia DOT Project Manager: Mr. Robert Hughes at robert.hughes@dot.state.ga.us or (404) 657-6699
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