T-SPLOST fails – What next?
Who has a Plan B?
The proposed transportation sales tax met an ugly end Tuesday as voters in ten counties overwhelmingly rejected the plan to raise billions for a controversial set list of traffic and transit improvements. So what should we try next? Raise the gas tax? Toll more roads? Let us know your feelings about the vote and, especially, what ideas Gov. Deal and other leaders should consider for unsnarling gridlock and making our lives a little easier. We’ll include a sample of comments in Thursday’s newspaper along with a special transportation package addressing the aftermath of the T-SPLOST.
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79 comments Add your comment
DesiBoy
August 1st, 2012
2:28 pm
Man, I knew this was gonna fail. I mean really? Most of this stuff on the “wishlist” wouldn’t impact traffic at all! Freeing up the interchanges at 400/I-285 and I-20/I-285 (west end) doesn’t require an increase in taxes. Plus there’s really nothing here that expands MARTA to the suburbs, only a
$34 mill. STUDY for expanding the North line. And many in Dekalb voted it down because there was no plan to create a heavy rail line to Lithonia. And certainly nothing for Gwinnett or Cobb. If you guys have a real plan that would relieve congestion, such as expanding MARTA, than come back once you fix your priorities.
the truth
August 1st, 2012
2:22 pm
everybody complains about Atlanta traffic, but the vast majority arent willing to help solve the problem. sad, really.
Joni Myslinski
August 1st, 2012
2:21 pm
I voted it down because I feel it is unfair to expect those in Fulton and Dekalb to pay an additional 1% sales tax when we are already paying a higher sales tax than most other counties. Level the playing field and I will consider changing my vote next time. I am in Fulton and I already pay a lot in property taxes. It may seem like it’s easy to tack on a “measly” 1% but not so, when you factor in what people are already shelling out and we are in a recession! A more creative solution is in order.
gp
August 1st, 2012
2:08 pm
Here’s a start to plan “B” and it won’t cost a dime. 1) Have staggered work hours for most federal, state and local workers 9-6 or 10- 7, 11-8 etc. Tuesday – Saturday. That will keep large volumes of workers off the roads during peak rush hours and give the public access to services when its convenient to the public , not them. 2) Require all in district students to take the bus to and from school unless verifiable circumtances require them to do so (work). No more car rider lines every day.
SS88
August 1st, 2012
2:02 pm
I don’t know what the answer is to all of this, but I do know that with an education ranking of 45th out of 50 states, never-ending traffic congestion, an ethically challenged governor, a legislature hell bent on doing all it can to not solve any real problems, and an unemployment rate of 10%, Georgia is looking less and less attractive as a place to call home.
Michael Wisniewski
August 1st, 2012
1:37 pm
This newspaper should conduct a non scientific poll asking residents of Metropolitan Atlanta
the question “these are traffic improvement priorities” – vote yes or no on each
- widen the merge of GA400 and I285 (keep the toll and start construction immediately)
- commit to construct an outer perimeter and start work as soon as possible
MeMe
August 1st, 2012
1:37 pm
How TSPLOST funds are “redirected”:
GDOT says federal and state fuel tax funds will be
“redirected.” GDOT website FAQ answer: ”In regions
that pass the referendum, the revenues generated
will supplement funding already appropriated for
projects and allow Georgia DOT to redirect federal
funding…”
Regions pay with regional funds and lose
federal fuel tax funds by “redirection” by GDOT. The
Regional Fund is created through the voting in of
TSPOLST.
Whoaaaaa!!!!
Cabbagehead
August 1st, 2012
12:06 pm
..except around here, we build broken toll roads like GA400, which causes terrible traffic snarls in Atlanta, and has no functional way of accessing 85N, yet we still have to pay for it long after it’s paid for.
Ampinada
August 1st, 2012
11:56 am
Toll roads. I’m originally from Florida and its just something I’m used to. The highways are continually maintained. No pot holes or high/low spots. They are always improving and expanding roads and adding interchange sections to ease flow over time. DO IT!
Cabbagehead
August 1st, 2012
11:56 am
Here’s my take: I read the list, and I am all for the beltline parks and foot / walking traffic, but the trolly thing is a terrible waste. It costs way too much, will do nothing to solve anyone’s traffic problems, and will likely excerbate existing traffic problems – it’s a STREETCAR running on the STREETS which are already clogged. Plus, it will ruin the beltline corridor. Why would I walk or bike when I can just take the rail-thing? I don’t want to walk next to an active rail, anyway, so double-fail for me. Plus, it does nothing that MARTA is not already doing. Triple-fail.
All of the other projects I saw were just simple maintainence that should have already been done with the existing budget (mill, repave, add handicap access, sync traffic lights), or fixing problems introduced by poor planning and expenditure in the recent past – evidence of bad spending practices that I do not support. Why do I need to pony up more money because the government can’t work within it’s means? Stop wasting money, Georgia!