(The Center Square) — The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority a $1.75 million federal grant, which the company says will allow it to “close capital funding gaps” for Atlanta space transportation tasks.
“From Georgia 400 bus rapid transit to Roosevelt Highway and rail infill stations in between, the transit needs of this region are far greater than our current funding model supports,” MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood mentioned in an announcement.
With the federal grant from the federal transportation division’s Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program, MARTA mentioned it plans to ascertain a transit and transit-oriented building “accelerator.”
The company mentioned it could paintings with the Georgia Department of Transportation to substantiate whether or not greater assets values stemming from transit spending can finance a challenge. MARTA officers imagine new income may just free up further public-private partnerships and protected federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans.
“Georgia taxpayers, along with those from geographically diverse states across America — California to Maryland — are beneficiaries of the Biden-Harris administration investments that address climate, economic development, and infrastructure needs in communities,” Margaret Kidd, program director of Supply Chain and Logistics Technology at the University of Houston, advised The Center Square by means of electronic mail. “It makes sense for the federal government to fund local transportation projects, especially when they have regional or national significance, promote equity, and enhance the accessibility of transportation system for all residents.”
MARTA pulls a lot of its funding from a gross sales tax in Atlanta and Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties. While a half-penny gross sales tax Atlanta levied in 2016 may just generate $3 billion for MARTA, company officers say the Atlanta space nonetheless lags in the back of investments different metro areas corresponding to Los Angeles and Seattle are making.
“Georgia residents pay a significant tax for every gallon of gasoline that is purchased,” Wes Guckert, an authorized skilled transportation planner and president of The Traffic Group, advised The Center Square by means of electronic mail. “The federal government re-pays the automobile users for the amount of gas tax that is collected based upon the amount of driving that occurs in their state.
“It is my opinion that the taxpayers within the State of Georgia should have one of the crucial gas tax income returned to them during the grant methods famous,” Guckert added. “Anytime you’ll retrieve tax income from the government and go back it to the taxpayers, it’s just right for the voters and their native economic system.”
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