Deal Asks Feds For More Money For I-85 Reconstruction
Gov. Nathan Deal sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao on Monday, saying that Georgia will need more federal funding than the $10 million the federal government has pledged to help with reconstruction efforts for the Interstate 85 bridge that collapsed last week.
“We have sent a letter asking for increased financial assistance to cover the cost of increased use of MARTA, GRTA buses, and of Cobb and Gwinnett County Transit,” Deal said.
Deal didn’t say how much more, but MARTA says ridership jumped at least 50 percent just from Monday morning. He said he is making an additional, non-financial ask of the federal government.
“We are also asking that they waive the rules and regulations for contracting bids and allow the state the flexibility to expedite the repair,” Deal said.
Deal also urged state employees to telecommute if possible or use public transportation to get to work. He encouraged private companies to allow their employees to do the same.
The Georgia Department of Transportation will hold a news conference Tuesday to announce it’s progress in developing a plan to reconstruct the bridge.
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