MARTA CEO: With no transportation plan, Georgia will lose out on stimulus money

by Brennan Robison

MARTA CEO Beverly Scott laments that Georgia does not have a plan for taking advantage of federal funding for major transportation initiatives. Speaking to Buckhead Rotary on Monday, Dr. Scott said that if Georgia's public officials don't take action soon, Georgia will be woefully unprepared for the millions of people projected to continue streaming to the state.

Dr. Scott cites billions of dollars in federal stimulus money put forth by the Obama Administration as reason for Georgia to develop a plan to build high-speed rail, commuter rail, a western trunk and by-pass line for freight.

"The only thing that is important [is that] we have the opportunity to move people and good among 10 counties, plus, seamlessly and effectively," Dr. Scott said.

Though the MARTA bus and rail systems serve only two counties, Fulton and DeKalb, Dr. Scott says MARTA and all transportation entities must come together to form an integrated system that serves all of Georgia's needs. She did not specify who she believes has failed to take action, but the Georgia General Assembly has repeatedly declined to develop regional or statewide transportation plans that address overly congested interstates and the lack of alternative means to get around.