ATL DOT seeks staff and capital increases as city prepares for World Cup and backlog work

The Atlanta Department of Transportation on Tuesday told City Council its proposed fiscal 2026 budget would expand staff capacity and push major resurfacing and capital projects ahead of next summer's FIFA World Cup games.

The presentation, delivered at the FY26 budget hearing by ATL DOT leadership, said the department's total proposed operating budget is $58,600,000 and that the capital program includes more than $250,000,000 in investments planned for fiscal 2026. Commissioner Cavus said the operating request “enables us to strengthen service delivery, retain skilled employees, more rapidly and reliably respond to the city's evolving transportation needs.”

Council members pressed ATL DOT on staffing, permitting and program delivery. Councilmember Hillis asked, “Would you be confident in saying that ATL DOT is fully funded and fully staffed?” and followed with questions about where roughly 90 vacancies are concentrated and how about 50 proposed FTEs would be allocated. Commissioner Cavus and senior deputies said the department will fill many positions with capital-funded staff and use contract services to address backlog while augmenting in-house capacity for capital delivery.

City officials described recent ATL DOT accomplishments, including nearly 40,000 street lights in the citywide conversion partnership with Georgia Power, 10 micromobility corrals, 21…