Report: Proposed T-SPLOST Rail Lines Impractical for Metro Atlanta
The transportation referendum is still two months away, but heated debate continues across metro Atlanta.
One recent poll puts support for the penny sales tax at only 42 percent. It showed widespread opposition in counties outside of Fulton and DeKalb.
An Atlanta-based conservative think tank is weighing in with a 40-page report on the pros and cons of the controversial project list.
The Georgia Public Policy Foundation report does not formally recommend a “yes” or “no” vote, but it does convey a healthy dose of skepticism in regards to the $6 billion project list.
The biggest problem, according to report author Baruch Feigenbaum, is too many of the projects do little to improve commute times in and out of the city.
“It’s probably a bigger issue for outside of the perimeter people, but I think its an issue for city of Atlanta people too, especially if you don’t happen to live near one of those projects that’s one of the big ticket items.”
By big ticket items, Feigenbaum is mostly referring to the rail projects on the list. He argues proposed lines from Atlanta to the Emory area and another from Atlanta to Cumberland Mall in Cobb County are impractical. He says rapid bus transit is a cheaper, more efficient alternative, both to build and maintain.
“It’s always sexy to get a new rail line, it’s much less sexy to maintain and I’m concerned that we haven’t factored that in,” said Feigenbaum. “We’re going to need to find funding after the ten-year period to do it – it’s not going to emerge from thin air.”
The report also warns of political obstacles, specifically the acquisition of land in established neighborhoods from homeowners who may not want any part in the rail projects.
Ryan Taylor, an architect from Smyrna, says he plans to vote yes on the T-SPLOST. But the report’s findings give him pause, particularly on the issue of road funding. In an ideal world, he’d like to see more arterial roads to supplement Atlanta’s highway system.
“It’s a huge difference being stuck on [I-75] not having really any other options, compared to other cities like Dallas, Minneapolis, and other areas where you just change your course. So even it its more miles to drive, you’re still there faster.”
Georgia Public Policy Foundation President Kelly McCutchen says he’s not reflexively against public transportation, but he does feel the list favors transit projects that appear to be more stimulus package than congestion reliever.
“I think many on the conservative side have been accused of being anti-transit,” said McCutchen. “That’s not true. It’s what is the most efficient way of building out transit.”
Despite an imperfect project list, McCutchen still says it may be the region’s best shot at funding transportation improvements.
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