On target, Vol. 5, no. 2 (Summer 1998)

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Georgia DepartInent ofTransportation Office ofPlanning

Summer

1998

Vol. 5 No.2

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is pleased to announce selection of 87 Transportation Enhancement Activity (TEA) projects to receive funding for Fiscal Year 1999. Up to 80% ofthe funds for each approvedproject are provided by the Federal Highway Administration, with the local govermnents funding the remainder of the total project cost. The funding will be available in October, 1998. Local govermnent project sponsors are responsible for implementing theirTEA projects and obtaining federal fund reimbursements from GDOT.

The Office ofPlanning received a total of 141 eligible applications, representing combined requests for over $71 million in federal funds. In this selection round, $37 million in federal funds were available to distribute statewide. To aid in project selection, GDOT relied on the Transportation Enhancement Advisory Panel, formed in 1992. This group ofprofessionals, representing statewide expertisein the various TEA project categories, evaluated each application and made recommendations to the State Transportation Board for final selection. The number of projects funded by each eligible category is as follows:

TEA Project Category Multi-Use Trails Landscaping/Streetscapes Historic Preservation Scenic Byway Programs Multiple Categories
Total Projects

# of Projects 29 11 14 1 32 87

fall for Fiscal Year 2000-2001 TEA projects. TEA programinformation, applications, and a full list of FY 1999 projects can be found on the Office of Planning Web page at www.dot.state.ga.us/homeoffs/ planning.www/planhome.htm
by Megan Stanley e-mail: megan.stanley@dot.state.ga.us
The Department is preparing to update the 1995 Statewid~Transportation Plan. Guided by Vision 2000 (a vision oftransportation for Georgia's future created by a group ofpublic and private citizens known as the TransportatiO!! 2000 Commission) the 1995 Plan addresses the transportation network as an integrated multlrnodal system and identifies the need for modal improvements and new initiatives.
The Plan promotes modal efficiency, encourages intermodal connectivity and the effective use ofexisting resources to maximize the benefits accruing from the public investment. The StatewideTransportationPlanrecognizes that the benefits from the intermodal transportation system .occur if all modes are working efficiently. Creating a balanced transportation network benefits the total mobility of the state and enhances transportation's contribution to economic development and quality of life.

The Statewide Transportation Plan is a long GDOT will be distributing applications this range plan and the update will span a period
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ond- highest in the nation and will give Georgia the sixth-largest amount offunding in the nation.

This funding increase also means a better return on the federal gas tax collected in Georgia. UnderTEA-21, Georgia is guaranteed a 90.5% return on federal gas tax collected within the state. This compares to the 74% return that Georgia received between 19921997.

There are also several significant elements to the Act, including:

-Continuedflexibility offunds and the emphasis on a strong planning process as the basis for decision-making;

Early in June 1998, President Clinton signed the largestpublic works legislation in US history. Known as the Transportation Equity Act for the 21 8t Century (TEA-21), it authorizes national funding for construction, maintenance, and safety improvements for highway, transit, and othertransportation systems. The Act builds on the initiatives established underthe Intennodal Surface Transportation EfficiencyAct (ISTEA), which expired in late 1997. The new legislation provides for increasedfunding for surface transportation and guarantees at least $198 billion during its sixyear lifespan.
Throughout the development ofthe bill and its ultimate adoption, the Office ofPlanning worked closely with the Department's Administration to provide information and comments to Georgia's Congressional delegation. Through this interaction, the Office ofPlanning was able to monitor the progress ofkey policy initiatives as the legislation advanced through Congress.
As ultimately approved, the ACT will provide Georgia with almost 70% more in federal transportation funds, as compared to the previous six years. This increase is the sec-

-Strengthening ofsafety programs, including programs for increasing safety belt usage and promoting a nationwide 0.08 blood-alcohol level standard for drivers;
-An emphasis on the environment, a focus on a strong planning process for decision making, and the continued flexible use offunds;
-Extending the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program by providing a flexible, national 10% goal for participation by minority- and womenownedfinns inhighway andtransitcontracts that use Federal funding; and
-Investing in research and its application, such as IntelligentTransportation Systems to improve the operations and managementoftransportation systems.
Additional guidance on the TEA-21 legislation can be found through the Federal Highway Administration's internet site at: http://www.dot.gov/tea21
by Tom McQueen e-mail: thomas.mcqueen@dot.state.ga.us

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with a GDOT tag attached to his bicycle eliciting comments/suggestions and initiatingconversations about bicycle planning in the state.

Actually, this year's BRAG could have been called Bicycle Ride AroundGeorgia. It was the first time in the event's 19-year history that the bike ride was circular rather than linear point-to-point. The seven-day, 404mile route led 1,800 bicycle riders ofall types on bicycles of numerous designs on a big loop around andjust outside Metro Atlanta. On the ride, participants saw horse farms, historic towns, and mountains. The trip was punctuated by MUltiple Sclerosis Society rest stops, tastes ofthe "veggie lady's sandwiches and Mayfield Dairies ice cream, and sounds of cicadas and loud bands. They also felt the heat of non-stop sunny skies.

With nextyearbeing BRAG's twentieth anniversary, organizers are planning a point-topoint ride from LaGrange to Savannah highlighting portions ofthe inaugural ride between Savannah and Columbus. The Department is alreadyassistinginthepreliminaryrouteidentification process for this 1999 ride. Additional information about BRAG can be obtained at their website: www.brag.org or by phone at (770)921-6166.
by David Crites e-mail: david.crites@dot.state.ga.us

GDOT assisted eventorganizers first by supplying base maps to route planners. GDOT District and Area Offices laterhelped out by reviewing the proposed route for potential . concerns includinghazardous conditions, upcoming construction projects, and recentroad name changes.
Among this year"s ride participants were several GDOTemployees including DavidCrites, State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator from the Office ofPlanning. It was Mr. Crites' first time on BRAG and, despite the heat, he noted that it would not be his last.
Mr. Crites said thatit was both an educational and outreach experience. He observed and photographed the interactions between motor vehicles and bicycles on different types of roadways-any paved area or shoulder outside the white line definitely improved traffic conditions. He learned that bicycling in large groups requires a different approach than bicycle commuting: eachcyclistneeds to watch out for-and assist-other cyclists. In fact, safety is stressed throughout the ride and all participants were required to watch the "BRAG About Safety" video and obey the '<j3RAG Safety Pledge." Mr. Crites also rode

Statewide Plan (cont'd.)
of 25 years from 2001 to 2025. The Plan update will identify and address key transportation issues and challenges for both the Department and Georgia well into the next century. These issues include: providing a safe system, preserving existing facilities, contributing to a cleanerenvironment, facilitating economic development, identifying funding requirements and funding sources, and meeting the challenges ofmobile equity and public accountability.
Work on the update will begin in September, 1998 and take approximately 24 months to complete. The implementation team will encompass Departmentpersonnel, ourpartners, stakeholders, and customers. Overall coordination is provided by the Office of Planning. We will keep you informed of future progress in upcoming editions ofOn Target.
by Carl Spinks e-mail: carl.spinks@dot.state.ga.us

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On Target is a quarterly publication of the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Office ofPlanning No.2 Capitol Square, S.w. Atlanta, GA 30334-1002
(404) 656-5411 Fax: (404) 657-5228
Visit our recently updated web site at: www.dotstate.gauslhomeoffs/planning.www/ planninglplanhome.htm

TEA Contracts Executed in the last quarter:

County

Description

Coffee Peach Rabun

Douglas rehabilitation: Norfolk Southern Depot and Ashley Slater House
Fort Valley-TroutrnanChappell House Restoration
Talulah Gorge TrailslLandscaping along Old 141 Old Railroad

Georgia Department ofTransportation Office ofPlanning No.2 Capitol Square, S.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30334-1002