Georgia DOT presents $2.79 billion FY26 budget, prioritizes capital projects, local grants and transit

Commissioner McMurray presented the Georgia Department of Transportation’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to a joint session of the House Transportation and Appropriations committees, saying the plan totals $2,788,000,000 and increases funding for capital projects, maintenance and transit programs.

The budget “sets the table” around four primary revenue streams — motor-fuel excise collections, the Transportation Trust Fund (annual EV and heavy-vehicle fees plus a hotel fee), the Transit Trust Fund (a per-ride fee), and state general funds — and uses formula and look‑back rules to set appropriations for FY26, McMurray said. He described $1.4 billion for capital construction and capital maintenance combined (roughly 52% of the total), with routine maintenance representing about 20% and departmental operations roughly 11%.

Why this matters: the proposed FY26 plan is intended to reduce project deferments caused by inflation, to increase local resurfacing aid and to expand support for transit outside metro Atlanta. McMurray said the total represents “slightly less than a 1.5% overall budget increase” compared with the amended FY25 base.

Most important figures and how the money is used

- Total proposed FY26 budget: $2,788,000,000 (presented by Commissioner McMurray). - Capital construction and capital maintenance together: about $1.4 billion (52% of the budget) for new projects, right‑of‑way purchases, repaving, bridge rehabilitation and similar capital work. McMurray said the administration recommended roughly a $107 million increase in capital construction and about $110 million added to capital maintenance to address rising project costs and avoid deferrals. - Routine maintenance: about 20% of the budget; the department said it contracts much routine work (mowing, guardrail repair, patching) through many small Georgia businesses. - Local Maintenance and Improvement Grants (LMIG):…