Hearings about which transportation projects should be funded by a proposed penny sales tax are under way within the Atlanta region, and on Sept. 15 people gathered at Atlanta City Hall to voice their opinions.
The Atlanta Regional Roundtable plans 12 meetings on how to spend the tax money, which would have to be approved by voters. The current list includes more than $6 billion worth of transportation and transit projects.
Panel members at the Sept. 15 meeting warned that without the sales tax, many sought-after projects will not be completed any time soon. The final list has to be approved by Oct. 15.
“There really is no plan B,” said Tom Weyandt, transportation advisor for the city of Atlanta. “And some projects will be slowed down, some considerably, and some might not happen at all.”
Local leaders have complained about some of the projects left off a list approved by the Atlanta Regional Roundtable’s executive committee.
The DeKalb County hearing is scheduled for Sept. 28 at the Manuel Maloof Auditorium in Decatur.
Jennette Gayer, who spoke at the Sept. 15 meeting, said she worries the list doesn’t do enough to reduce pollution in the Atlanta region.
“We have a huge problem with pollution in Atlanta and it’s not getting better,” she said. “I’m worried this list does not go far enough.”
Sally Flocks, president of pedestrian advocacy group PEDS, said she’s concerned about the widening of roads, which she said would make them more dangerous. She also questioned plans to “optimize” traffic signals.
“Optimized for who?” she asked.
