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TIA update: River Valley region reports $126M collected for TIA 2; Columbus to build a TIA-funded multimodal hub and launch a transit study
Summary
GDOT and River Valley staff updated council on Transportation Investment Act (TIA) projects and collections for TIA 2. Columbus also previewed a TIA-funded multimodal center adjacent to the Lynnwood park-and-ride and announced a new comprehensive transit study to examine fixed-route, paratransit and on‑demand options.
Representatives from the Georgia Department of Transportation’s TIA program and River Valley Regional Commission briefed the council on Dec. 10 about regional TIA activity and project timelines.
GDOT’s regional coordinator said the TIA 2 sales-tax collection began in January 2023 and, as of October, the River Valley region had collected about $126 million. Of that total roughly $95 million is slated for the region’s approved investment list; about $31.5 million is being returned monthly to local governments in the region via the discretionary formula.
GDOT project updates included timelines and budgets for corridor and streetscape work across Muscogee County. Projects discussed included Buena Vista Road (concept development and an estimated total program budget of $10.7 million), Second Avenue/State Route 85 streetscape work (budget ~$18.2 million), a US-80 intersection/roundabout concept at JR Allen/Blackmon/Schaumburg (federal grant-funded and budgeted at about $11.3 million) and the Manchester Expressway/County Line interchange reconstruction (budget ~$36.5 million). Several projects are in concept report or preliminary design; two corridor projects were identified for spring design-contract advertisement.
Separately, City and Metro Transit staff presented drawings for a small TIA-funded multimodal facility on Ninth Avenue adjacent to the newly completed Lynnwood park-and-ride. The design (mass timber roof elements, a secure bicycle pavilion with user service area, bus drop-off lane, EV charging infrastructure and offices for multimodal services) is in construction documents. City staff said the multimodal center is programmed for construction in fiscal year 2025 and budgeted within the TIA allocation for Columbus.
City staff also announced the upcoming citywide comprehensive transit study. The scope will include fixed-route frequency, ADA paratransit, premium service and micro-transit/on-demand options, and will assess service gaps, including service frequency on routes where riders face long (hourly) waits.
Ending: GDOT and River Valley officials emphasized ongoing coordination with Columbus for engineering, public meetings and right-of-way work. Columbus staff said they will bring the transit study RFP selection and multimodal construction schedule forward to both council and Metro.
