The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is accepting public comment on a proposed amendment to the region’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) that would allocate $45 million in funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
The funds would pay for electric buses and charging stations, upgrades to transit infrastructure in Cobb and Clayton counties, and road improvements. It would be the first allocation of transportation dollars from the infrastructure bill since it was adopted late last year.
The amended project list was developed in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Transportation and local transportation agencies to include time-sensitive projects for which funding could be authorized by the end of the state fiscal year on June 30, 2022.
The total cost of the projects is $58 million, including required local matching funds. The proposed projects include:
Electric Buses and EV Charging Stations – Regional Pilot Program
- A regional pilot program enabling local transit agencies to purchase electric buses and install EV charging stations. A competitive application process will take place later this year, to be administered by the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority.
- Federal funds: $11.9 million
- Local match: $3 million
- Total: $14.9 million
Clayton County Transit Center Upgrades
- Upgrades to Clayton County’s main transit center in Jonesboro, including construction of covered waiting areas, restrooms, and ticketing facilities.
- Federal funds: $9.6 million
- Local match: $2.4 million
- Total: $12 million
CobbLinc Accessibility Improvements
- System-wide upgrades to the CobbLinc transit system to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and people with disabilities. Upgrades include sidewalks, bus shelters, curb cuts, and crosswalks.
- Federal funds: $11.5 million
- Local match $2.9 million
- Total: $14.4 million
Compressed Natural Gas for MARTA’s Fleet
- Purchase of 22 compressed natural gas buses for MARTA
- Federal funds: $12.1 million
- Local match: $3.1 million
- Total: $15.2 million
Roadway Capacity Expansion in Barrow and Henry Counties
- Planning for two future road projects: widening of SR 155 between I-75 and Hampton-Locust Grove Road in Henry County; and grade separation at the intersection of SR 316 and Harry McCarty Road in Barrow County.
- Federal Funds: $640,000
- Local Match: $160,000
- Total: $800,000
The Transportation Improvement Program allocates federal and state funding for transportation projects across the region and is updated several times throughout the year, as projects change or new funding becomes available.
The public comment period will run from May 5 to May 18. Submit comments to transportation@atlantaregional.org.
A public hearing will take place in-person during the joint Transportation and Air Quality Committee and ARC Board meeting on May 11 at 10:30 a.m.