The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is preparing to release $1.5 billion in new funding to improve the state’s transportation infrastructure. The Georgia General Assembly approved the funds in the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The state will use surplus money for the projects.
Last week, Gov. Brian Kemp released details of the transportation spending plan. It includes funding for road repairs, bridge upgrades, and launching a new freight program.
“Over the last few years, we’ve welcomed unprecedented job creation to all regions of the Peach State, and this funding will ensure our already reliable infrastructure network can meet the needs of that incredible growth,” said Governor Brian Kemp.
Transportation officials said the funding will allow the agency to move 42 projects forward and improve safety and efficiency for years to come.
State Transportation Board Chair Robert Brown called it a “monumental investment” in state transportation infrastructure. He added, “We are now equipped to execute on this group of projects that will provide new safety and economic benefits for Georgians across the state.”
How the money will be spent
First announced during the 2024 legislative session, this investment will more than double the state’s funding to cities and counties for local transportation infrastructure. In addition, the plan calls for increased funding for general aviation airports, resurfacing more state highways, and accelerating the completion of key transportation projects already underway.
Officials also intend to use the investment to kickstart new strategic projects to prepare for Georgia’s future.
“As Georgia continues to add new industries and businesses, and an influx of people that now call Georgia home, the state’s approach to transportation must strive to meet the evolving needs both today and in the future,” said GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry.
To that end, here’s how the $1.5 billion will be spent:
- Local Roads Funding ($250 million) – more than doubling state funding for every city and county for local transportation investments;
- Capital Construction ($593 million) – increasing GDOT’s capital construction program by 58% to help manage cost increases due to inflation and expediting projects in GDOT’s existing pipeline of projects. Funding will help accelerate 24 projects by a total of 43 years, DOT says;
- Capital Maintenance ($50 million) – increasing GDOT’s capital maintenance budget by 32% to resurface state highways around the state;
- Airport Aid ($98 million) – advancing improvements at various general aviation airports;
- Freight Program ($500 million) -funding a new program that includes 18 projects devoted to freight-carrying infrastructure to improve efficiency, safety, and reliability for the transportation of goods across Georgia.
To learn more about specific projects included in GDOT’s spending plan, click here.
