Georgia Seeks to Spend $1.8B to Unclog Interstate 75

Georgia’s governor stated Wednesday that he needs to spend $1.8 billion to unclog one in every of traffic-choked Atlanta’s infamous chokepoints on a very powerful freeway between the Midwest and Florida.

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, serving his final 12 months in workplace, says he needs to spend $1.8 billion to construct further toll categorical lanes on Interstate 75 in Atlanta’s southern suburbs. Proper now, 12 miles (19 kilometers) of I-75 in Henry and Clayton counties have reversible categorical lanes, however Kemp is proposing the state construct a lane in every course.

Whereas some states have turned to transit and different choices, Kemp says Georgia has to maintain constructing highways to advertise financial progress in Atlanta, Georgia’s financial engine. After a decline throughout the pandemic, congestion has returned in power within the metro space of greater than 6 million individuals. The state is already spending to construct different toll lanes and rebuild main interchanges on Interstate 285, Atlanta’s loop freeway.

“These points are additionally undermining our financial growth prospects, with enterprise leaders questioning whether or not their staff will wish to dwell and commute in that surroundings,” Kemp stated. “In relation to site visitors congestion, we will’t let our opponents have the higher hand.”

Kemp stated extra toll lanes may enhance site visitors throughput on I-75 by as a lot as 70%.

Kemp informed Georgia Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium that he’s proposing that legislators approve a complete of $2.4 billion extra in infrastructure spending. The cash would are available an modification to the present 12 months’s finances, drawing on Georgia’s $9 billion in surplus money.

That might additionally embody $200 million to proceed bettering Georgia 316, a freeway between Atlanta and Kemp’s hometown of Athens. The state has been turning the four-lane freeway into an access-controlled freeway, and Kemp says he needs to constructing “a real, secure expressway.”

Kemp stated he additionally needs to distribute a further $250 million to native governments for street enhancements, $100 million to enhance bridges and rural communities and $35 million to increase pure gasoline traces in rural areas.

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