Atlanta — Feb 26, 2020
The Atlanta Regional Commission Board today approved a major update to the transportation portion of the Atlanta Region’s Plan that allocates $172.6 billion in federal, state and local funding through 2050 to improve mobility and safety across metro Atlanta.
The Atlanta Region’s Plan is a long-range blueprint that details the investments, programs and services needed to ensure metro Atlanta’s future success by providing world-class infrastructure, fostering healthy, livable communities, and developing a competitive economy.
The update to the transportation part of the plan was developed in close collaboration with local governments and transportation agencies and with robust public input. It includes projects and programs designed to improve roads and highways, enhance transit options, expand the region’s network of multi-use trails, and encourage alternative commuting options such as carpooling and teleworking.
“The Atlanta Region’s Plan offers a balanced, strategic approach to keep our region moving forward, even as our population continues to grow,” said Doug Hooker, Executive Director of ARC. “This plan will help metro Atlanta remain competitive, with a high quality of life, in the decades to come.”
The Atlanta Region’s Plan is designed to accommodate significant growth that is expected to occur over the next three decades. ARC forecasts the 20-county region will add 2.9 million people by 2050, bringing the metro area’s total population to 8.6 million.
The plan’s potential impact is significant, from cleaner air to reduced congestion. For example, annual transit ridership is expected to more than double, from 510,520 riders today to over 1.1 million in 2050. And tailpipe emissions will decrease by 21,182 tons per year.
The full list of transportation projects, including an interactive map can be found at atlantaregionsplan.org. Here are some highlights:
Maintenance and safety
About $102 billion, or nearly 60% of the total, is earmarked to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure that’s already in place.
Projects include resurfacing roads, repairing bridges, and replacing aging buses and rail cars, as well as new technology that promises to improve safety and traffic flow by connecting vehicles to “smart” traffic signals.
New transit options
The plan programs $11 billion for transit expansion. Projects scheduled in the next decade include:
Mobility alternatives
About $10 billion is dedicated to projects and programs that reduce congestion by encouraging alternative ways of getting around the region. This includes:
Tackling traffic bottlenecks
The Regional Transportation Plan provides about $27 billion for key interchange and highway improvements throughout metro Atlanta. Highway projects due to start construction in the next decade include:
The Regional Transportation Plan also includes 215 arterial widenings and other projects that will add a total of about 600 lane-miles of capacity to the region’s arterial network by 2050. Projects expected in the next decade include:
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The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the official planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties as well as the City of Atlanta and 73 other cities. The Atlanta Regional Commission serves as a catalyst for regional progress by focusing leadership, attention and planning resources on key regional issues.
Contact Name: Paul Donsky
Contact Phone: 470-378-1510
Contact Email: pdonsky@atlantaregional.org
ARC’s Strategic Partners are committed to fostering collaborative regional approaches that improve quality of life in metro Atlanta. Their support elevates ARC leadership programs, research and events throughout the year. Learn more.
