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Cobb MSPLOST Referendum Project List Approved by ATL, Proceeding to BOC Vote

On Thursday, June 6th, 2024, the Atlanta Transit Link (ATL) Authority unanimously approved Cobb County DOT’s narrowed-down list of projects for its potential Mobility SPLOST (MSPLOST) referendum. The larger list of Cobb’s projects were amended into the ARTP on April 4th per the ATL’s HB930 process. Yesterday’s final approval now allows the Cobb County Board of Commissioners to vote on whether to place a Mobility SPLOST referendum on the November 2024 ballot, which, if passed, would fund the narrowed-down list of mobility projects.

For more information about the Cobb County MSPLOST, check out our dedicated webpage: Race to Regional Connectivity.

Highlights

During the ATL meeting, an ATL staff presentation covered important criteria for Cobb’s projects in context of the ATL review process: 1) Consideration of Approved or In-Progress Projects in Neighboring Counties, and 2) Consideration of Additional Federal or State Funding. The numbers show that of the $14.5 billion estimated cost over 30 years, 21% will come from federal or state funding. The remaining $10.9 billion would come from MSPLOST revenue. The ATL Staff  found that Cobb’s Project List meets “the statutory criteria outlined in OCGA § 48-8-269.45(C)” and recommended that the ATL board approve the list.

Download PDF for Criteria Presentation

As requested in the April meeting, a ridership estimate study was conducted by Cobb County and presented to the ATL board during the June 6th meeting. Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid presented opening remarks on the importance of the MSPLOST. Morgan Simmons, Cobb DOT’s Deputy Director, presented the ridership study estimating the pre-covid 2020 Total Average Weekday Ridership  of 10,400 will increase to 40,600 by 2050. More information is available in the PDF below.

Download PDF for Ridership Presentation

After consideration, the ATL board unanimously approved the Cobb County Referendum Project List.

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners are now set to vote on Tuesday, June 11th on whether to put the MSPLOST up for referendum.

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