Politics

T-SPLOST Defeat Big Setback for Transit Projects

August 2nd, 2012

Days after metro Atlanta voters emphatically rejected the T-SPLOST, many high profile transit projects appear all but dead barring action by state lawmakers.

In the wake of the T-SPLOST defeat, state transportation officials say local projects in metro Atlanta will be put under intense scrutiny moving forward.

Georgia Department of Transportation board member Dana Lemon says the emphasis will be on existing infrastructure.

“The process will continue with the limited amount of funds we have available combined with the incredible great need… and our biggest need at this point, honestly, is maintaining our existing system.”

It means many of the big ticket MARTA transit projects included in the transportation referendum are now in serious question.

Couple the T-SPLOST defeat with a significant reduction in federal transportation funds, and Jane Hayse, the chief transportation planner at the Atlanta Regional Commission, says it’s not looking good for many of the referendum’s high-profile projects, including the Emory rail line along the Clifton Corridor and new bus service in Clayton county and along I-20 East.

“Now with the latest transportation bill signed by Congress, we’re seeing less federal funds and so it could be even beyond 2040.”

Hayse wants state lawmakers to consider a number of options, one of which is freeing MARTA permanently from a state restriction that says it must spend 50 percent of its revenues on operations and 50 percent on capital projects.

“It has a tremendous impact on how MARTA does business, so it’s a huge hurdle that needs to be addressed.”

But Governor Nathan Deal has made it clear that post–T-SPLOST, MARTA is in need of greater reform than simply lifting the 50/50 requirement.

“Before taxpayers are going to spend any more money on MARTA, I think they’ve also sent a message that they’re not going to put more money into something they perceive is not functioning appropriately with the revenue that is available.”

While many transit projects are now in limbo, other high profile transit projects like the Atlanta Streetcar and new Beltline rail service – both of which have separate funding mechanisms – are still moving forward, albeit at a slower pace than if the T-SPLOST passed.