Transportation funding in Georgia basically comes from two sources — a 7 1⁄2 cent per gallon fuel excise tax and from 3 percent of the 4 percent sales tax collected on fuel.
In the FY09 budget, these revenues are estimated to total $826,557,516. In addition, $26 million is appropriated in state funds, federal funds are budgeted at $1.269 billion and agency funds at $7.4 million for a DOT total budget of $2.1 billion. This represents 5.6 percent of the $37.4 billion state total funds budget.
Additions to transportation budget
• $9.8 million in new funds for general airport aid for airport improvements around the state.
• The governor had proposed $500,000 for implementation of the freight logistics transport strategy to improve freight mobility and to leverage state infrastructure investments. Final appropriation was $388,837.
• $250,000 added in conference to retrofit diesel school buses with pollution control devices.
• $5 million for community improvement districts congestive relief fund tied to SB 410.
Bonds
• $240.5 million - state motor fuel bonds for Fast Forward Program
• $10.5 million state general funds to replace Tennille DOT District Office
• $3.4 million state general funds in bonds for state match for Savannah Harbor spoil disposal
Georgia Regional Transportation Authority
$4.7 million in bonds to purchase land and construct Xpress park and ride lots.
Governor vetoes in transportation bonds
Rail bond projects totaling $7.7 million
Rabun County Tallulah Falls Welcome Center at $2 million
Transportation legislation
SB 417 – Requires DOT Commissioner to develop and publish benchmarks on certain projects. This bill also requires a yearly report to the General Assembly detailing the progress of high dollar ($10 million and up) projects against the benchmarks. Also requires engineering studies on those high dollar projects and reports to the Legislature.
SB 444 – Allows DOT to more easily dispose of surplus property valued under $30,000
SR 781 – Includes many of the provisions of the final report of the Joint Study Committee on Transportation Funding.
• Promotes public-private initiatives
• Recommends high occupancy toll lanes
• Consideration of proposals by private companies to build and maintain transportation facilities. Toll revenues would be required
• Recommends construction of funding of a modern public transit system possibly including express buses, light or heavy rail mag-lev trains or combinations
• Also urges DOT to report progress by the end of calendar year
SR 1047 – A resolution urging DOT to plan to consolidate county barns and road maintenance operations
SR 1060 – Requests several reports from DOT
• Progress on county barns and equipment disposal
• Expenditures on maintenance of existing roads and analysis of overall structural and functional condition of state roads
• Bridge maintenance update detailing funds spent and analysis and condition of bridges and update on inspections
HB 426 – Requires school districts to identify railroad crossings on bus routes that do not have active warning devices. Instructs DOT to prioritize rail crossings upgrades utilizing this data
SB 1019 — Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank creates this revolving loan program within the State Road and Tollway Authority. Will aid local governments to accomplish projects faster with local funds. Some $48 million has been appropriated to begin this fund. Also defines “eligible project”
HB 1026 — Requires utilities to move or relocate poles and lines where they now interfere with safe operation. Clears eminent domain responsibility of utility company if notified by DOT of obstruction and mandated moving
