Gov. Nathan Deal has announced the approval of funding for 20 transportation infrastructure projects totaling $33 million in grants and loans provided through the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB). This represents the largest funding cycle for the GTIB program since its inception. The GTIB program is a revolving infrastructure investment fund established in 2008 by Georgia legislators and administered by the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA).
The City of Atlanta will receive funding for two projects:
Government Center Mobility Improvements
The project will make roadway and pedestrian improvements to city streets around Atlanta City Hall and State Capitol areas of Central Avenue, Washington Street, Trinity Avenue, and Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive. The improvements will be designed to complement the future plans for realignment of Capitol Avenue. This area of Atlanta experiences significant vehicle and pedestrian traffic as citizens visit public facilities, including city, county and state offices. The GTIB grant award is $3,140,000.
Streetlight LED Conversion
The goal of this project is to reduce energy and maintenance costs and meet leading industry standards. This project proposes an initial conversion of 5 -10 percent of the city’s existing HPS (high pressure sodium) and high pressure mercury streetlight bulbs to LED (light emitting diodes) bulbs, while also providing better lighting for pedestrians, vehicles, visitors and residents. The complete conversion to LED lights has a potential energy savings of 30 percent to 50 percent. The GTIB loan award is $1,000,000.
Really excited about the LED bulb conversion project, both in terms of saving energy and changing the nighttime city glow (see: http://gizmodo.com/led-streetlights-will-change-hollywood-and-make-every-c-1514840416 ).
Really excited about the LED bulb conversion project, both in terms of saving energy and changing the nighttime city glow (see: http://gizmodo.com/led-streetlights-will-change-hollywood-and-make-every-c-1514840416 ).