During the legislative session, leadership in the Senate and the House of Representatives saw fit to create the Joint Study Committee on Critical Transportation Infrastructure Funding to evaluate how to improve and expand our current and future transportation infrastructure.
According to the Georgia Dept. of Transportation (GDOT), Georgia has the 10th largest road system in the nation, with 17,967 miles of interstates and 85,738 miles of country roads. Georgia also has 4,500 miles of main-line and short-line railroad and, as most of you know, the world's busiest airport in Hartsfield-Jackson International. Not to mention, our deep-water ports provide 352,146 full- and part-time jobs, or 8.3 percent of Georgia's total employment, and also account for $1.4 billion in state revenue.
So, what are we doing to strengthen and maintain our statewide transportation system? Legislators approved the FY '15 budget in March, which allocated approximately $20 million in additional motor fuel funds to allot for road and bridge projects, based on anticipated collections. The Port of Savannah expansion project is slated to receive $35 million in bonds, which will fulfill Georgia's $266 million total financial obligation for the project.
The Joint Committee will continue to analyze our motor fuel tax (part excise and part pre-paid sales tax), which currently is 4 percent at 8.8 cents per gallon; therefore, roughly 16.3 cents per gallon goes toward state motor fuel tax. Vehicles are currently becoming less fuel-efficient and federal funding is not as secure; therefore, we must research possible transportation funding options that work best for us and our neighboring states.
By meeting with experts from across the country (we welcomed former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood at our first meeting) and listening to new ideas, we are securing Georgia's status as an economic powerhouse. The committee will hold seven more meetings around the state throughout the summer and fall. I would love to hear your questions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 404-463-1378.
to your business!