[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6684463,"mediaKeyId","2173025-3700b5d3e591acb8677edda23fc66f07","parentId",2173025,"title","Governor proposes $60 million for GTIB as local governments request four times available funding","audioSeconds",447,"startMs",3718000,"endMs",4165000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173025-3700b5d3e591acb8677edda23fc66f07&start=3718&end=4165","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173025-3700b5d3e591acb8677edda23fc66f07/thumbnail_3718000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6684463/Georgia/Governor-proposes-60-million-for-GTIB-as-local-governments-request-four-times-available-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6684463-2de79d9d7a12c9fd221907d9cbf56bcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607326&Signature=GcsplA9cNO-jht5958tqI6E2ZHQ2K7OoD4jU432RQQ0AFK4LshCUcPnUN0HRmi6FvXv-fqLJA7Gq7D1Bz2HC8OkamEMiYPpOVceuwgdVwRxU4hp2csz7763TuBybEOU5mEjqlOFgyzwC1J3ptkVQpqXGTqnyNIaY2QHuGQxlnUWAvt6XDGenHtk8nhrlNLI2VyCoZPkRvgvfpl5yP4dqJL6l6ERTspDgLOfeCuQVDpG94tSUKV8d4NT3J5s3HftwqScjw81ny5V3CttvGkRsoMv9hRYdEhhXc8TX1DV5m4OF9W-WPmOO7OogSP1jt8mWHYGXUdmfccYdmjh-YZpVGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-01-29T05:58:41.977Z","article","Janine Miller, GDOT director of planning and executive director of the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA), told the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee that the governor's amended budget recommends a $60 million state general‑fund appropriation for the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB).

\"The 60,000,000, if we were to have the success in the future we've had in the in the past, that leverage of $2.16,000,000 to $110,000,000,0.0 project value, we would be, able to unleash about $300,000,000 worth of projects for that state investment,\" Miller said, describing past leverage and the potential for larger local investments from a state infusion.

Why it matters: GTIB provides low‑interest loans and grants to local governments for transportation projects that local budgets or other programs cannot fully cover. Miller said demand for the program exceeds available funds in most years, and that local governments use it to advance projects tied to state network connections and economic development.

Demand and program details

Miller said GTIB receives significantly more applications than it can fund. For FY25 she said the program received about $62 million in grant/loan applications, including roughly $39 million in loan requests. She told the committee that local governments apply both for grants and loans and that the program typically reinvests principal repayments in new awards.

Miller described GTIB as a competitive source of low‑interest financing for local projects and said GTIB loan terms generally track existing public financing benchmarks: five‑year loans around 2.7 percent and 20‑year loans about 3.35 percent, according to information she provided to the committee. She also said GTIB can be used as a local match for the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) program when jurisdictions need matching funds.

Questions from lawmakers

Representative Jeremy (last name not specified), a committee member who asked about project vetting, was told that applications are reviewed for eligibility and that the program partners with the Georgia Interfaith? (JIFA) — referred to in the meeting as JIFA — for financial vetting. Miller said the GTIB program has a history of repayments and that she was not aware of loan defaults.

Examples of funded projects and strategic priorities

Miller highlighted recent awards that aimed to address congestion and workforce connectivity. She cited a Locust Grove connector project that received an 80 percent state award for a targeted relief to State Route 42, a corridor she said carries about 25,000 cars per day. She also described a paving project in Peach County intended to provide a paved connection to a mega‑site and future workforce housing.

What was not decided

The committee did not vote on GTIB funding during the hearing; Miller's remarks and the governor's recommendation were offered as context for the appropriations process. Committee members requested follow‑up information on the total amount requested versus the amount eligible and funded in recent cycles.

Ending

Miller said she will return with additional detail on application volumes and the vetting results. She emphasized GTIB's role in leveraging state dollars to secure larger local infrastructure investments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations: Transportation 01.28.25","oneSentenceSummary","Janine Miller, GDOT director of planning and executive director of the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA), told the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee that the governor's amended budget recommends a $60 million state general‑fund appropriation for the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB).","taxTitle","Appropriations, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",16937,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6684467,"GDOT: Hurricanes Helene and Debbie drove major emergency repairs, $200 million maintenance hit",1107,1268000,2375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173025-3700b5d3e591acb8677edda23fc66f07&start=1268&end=2375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173025-3700b5d3e591acb8677edda23fc66f07/thumbnail_1268000.jpg","/articles/6684467/Georgia/GDOT-Hurricanes-Helene-and-Debbie-drove-major-emergency-repairs-200-million-maintenance-hit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6684467-06e80cd080da5c1a744558d6abfe99ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607326&Signature=ioYVYxcw9NNR6fFHZPXsFfWkKs3jUwrmEw7CkBpcdaS3pCbXT8ZRkW3BJz20QoJwdA5rtZyEiEahvlIMpTGzsoAFmhHQTHc2bEO1zjwHGHCDLdMeILj2t3fth-vaoelxQztw4DQSXkBLJspkxVHUQKVOMDz927YBg1xtrc3aJ8asa36CtQy5eA1F2ca4vp7zQiYJovxV2IWGmIY29ieVrA-JiTjwqb7M0XBqc8XxmfpWQ4QquVZyb56aNzv1zgWpLx5~7TY-muh2fV6ZPoETYVZUoF0VnuMDg7PQ2ydD6SuM-wWHObUM2c-SNTuzHr9IjfXVD2-yWd5VoeAAcZ9ndA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner McMurray, chair of the State Transportation Board, told the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee that Georgia Department of Transportation crews and contractors carried out large-scale emergency work after hurricanes Helene and Debbie and that the agency estimates about $200 million in routine‑maintenance budget impact tied to the storms.

The agency reported widespread damage and recovery work: more than 3.2 million cubic yards of debris collected, 719 traffic signals identified as damaged in an initial assessment, more than 16,000 signs replaced and 15,000 sign maintenance actions performed. \"We're at 3,200,000 cubic yards of debris as of 2 days ago,\" McMurray said.

Why it matters: the damage forced GDOT to shift staff and contractor capacity from regular maintenance to emergency response and required state funding so routine activities could continue. McMurray said the governor's proposed budget includes general‑fund additions intended to make the maintenance program whole for this fiscal year.

Details of the response and damage

McMurray described several response categories: debris removal to reopen lanes for emergency and utility crews, traffic‑signal repairs and replacement of damaged signage and repairs to roadway infrastructure, including washed‑out pipes and culverts. He said GDOT coordinated with Georgia Power, electric membership cooperatives and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when power lines or federal reimbursement were relevant. He said contractors were mobilized using existing on‑call debris contracts so GDOT maintenance crews could return to normal maintenance as quickly as possible.

On traffic signals and signs, McMurray said an initial count left GDOT uncertain about the scale (\"over 1,100 signals that we had we didn't know if they even were there anymore\") and that field assessments identified 719 damaged signals. He estimated signal repairs at about $3 million and said GDOT called in 10 outside contractors that provided roughly 30 additional bucket trucks at the peak of the response. McMurray also described substantial sign work: \"we've replaced over 16,000 signs, and we've done sign maintenance on 15,000 signs in county.\"

Bridges and local roads

GDOT inspected hundreds of bridges after the storms: McMurray said crews inspected 275 bridges and previously inspected about 120 bridges after Hurricane Debbie. He recounted a washed‑out box culvert on State Route 1609 in Tattnall County and described a separate replacement on State Route 86 in Lawrence County that he said cost $882,000 for that structure and was opened to traffic after the contractor completed work.

Personnel, scope and hauling

McMurray estimated more than 2,000 GDOT employees and contractors worked on the response, contributing roughly 251,000 hours of work. He said GDOT handled 71 requests to assist on off‑system (non‑state) roads, worked on roughly 340 non‑state routes and at the peak operated 449 trucks hauling debris to 41 debris sites around the state. He highlighted local work such as rebuilding roughly 150 unimproved roads in Jenkins County.

Budget context

McMurray told the committee the combined maintenance impact of the two recent storms is \"a little over $200 million,\" and that the governor and the General Assembly recognized storm costs and other needs in last year’s amended budget. He summarized recent and proposed appropriations that affect GDOT operations, including local‑roads assistance and freight program funding. He thanked the governor and appropriators for adding state general funds intended to offset emergency expenditures so routine maintenance and safety work (guardrails, patching, mowing and traffic management) can continue.

What was not decided

No formal vote or motion occurred on the record during this presentation. McMurray and the committee discussed clarification about how much of the emergency spending had already been deployed; McMurray said a portion of the $200 million had already been paid out and that the appropriation was intended to cover those rapid deployments.

Next steps

McMurray said GDOT will continue execution of repairs while working with federal partners on reimbursement where eligible. He reiterated an intent to move budgeted local assistance quickly to cities and counties where funds were appropriated with no local match required.

Ending

McMurray closed by thanking committee members for their support and emphasizing the agency's continuing recovery and maintenance needs.","Commissioner McMurray, chair of the State Transportation Board, told the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee that Georgia Department of Transportation crews and contractors carried out large-scale emergency work after hurricanes Helene and Debbie and that the agency estimates about $200 million in routine‑maintenance budget impact tied to the storms.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6684458,"ATL to halve express commuter bus trips, aims to boost seat utilization to 56%",161,4487000,4648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173025-3700b5d3e591acb8677edda23fc66f07&start=4487&end=4648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173025-3700b5d3e591acb8677edda23fc66f07/thumbnail_4487000.jpg","/articles/6684458/Georgia/ATL-to-halve-express-commuter-bus-trips-aims-to-boost-seat-utilization-to-56","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6684458-f1c56c829d565bccd237da4aaf1a6644/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607326&Signature=LuSP-cxUQfixHFfM51VkUCzCpPEyF6bMDaVbL5YQrMyNBIF0cYsMb6RbV4EButSzL0EckA7nnX849uy3jl0M9MWF0VAVMiZHQPpvouSIlUSr7cx-TGsRRUqkP08MIh7BZm5T4nikWonol2qE775q7fRl6qrbzGK2Wy~OKNUxtLC48iQ~BU17ab-Rp-LzC2-icrCnvBEHzps1LcIHSacwUT6R8-CKJ9w6u76894ACIoG8CJv1FKKJ4ohdRYwOrI1KFYXU9LqetDsQZ3-nK-l3PsU3h64oq46PtJYH1V78ff0RyhIfn-yO4MVc3uhOxq3GwOLSlPrGRfqj6cFJb4s1BA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Janine Miller, executive director of the Atlanta Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) and GDOT director of planning, told the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee that ATL will reduce its express commuter bus service to better match post‑COVID travel demand.

\"We are, proposing and we will soon be adopting a reduction in that commuter bus service, down to a total of 98 trips,\" Miller said, describing a change from the current 197 trips that operate from 27 park‑and‑ride lots with 45 morning stops. She said 12 of the 98 trips would serve MARTA stations and that ATL will reduce the number of leased park‑and‑ride lots as part of the change.

Why it matters: ATL said commute patterns and demand have changed since the service began and were further altered by the COVID‑19 pandemic; the agency is adjusting service to be more efficient while maintaining corridor coverage.

Service changes and expected outcomes

Miller said the reduction will cut park‑and‑ride lots roughly in half but maintain service in every corridor. ATL projects seat utilization to increase from roughly 10 percent today to about 56 percent under the new plan; Miller characterized that change as a large improvement in efficiency.

Appropriations direction and timing

Miller told the committee that the Appropriations Act directed ATL to coordinate with local transit providers and streamline options; she said the directive contributed to a $4 million reduction in the ATL budget line tied to express commuter service. She said the reduced schedule and other changes will go into effect in June of the coming year after required board and public‑involvement processes.

What was not decided

No committee vote occurred during the presentation. Miller said ATL will continue board review and public outreach as necessary prior to implementing the timetable.

Ending

Miller closed the ATL portion of the presentation noting the agency’s focus on customer competitiveness and cross‑county service and that the changes are intended to improve efficiency while keeping service available across corridors.","Janine Miller told the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee that the Atlanta Region Transit Link Authority will reduce express commuter bus service from 197 trips to 98 and reduce park‑and‑ride lots, aiming to improve seat utilization amid changed post‑COVID commute patterns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Governor proposes $60 million for GTIB as local governments request four times available funding

GDOT: Hurricanes Helene and Debbie drove major emergency repairs, $200 million maintenance hit

ATL to halve express commuter bus trips, aims to boost seat utilization to 56%