“These are things we should be doing already, but we haven’t had the money,” Public Works Director Jamie McCord said.
The 10-year Northwest Georgia TSPLOST collection is expected to raise $1.4 billion to fund a package of major connectivity projects in 15 counties. Included are the widening of Ga. 140 to Interstate 75 and reconstruction of Ga. 101 to Rockmart.
But 25 percent of the revenue would be divided among the cities and counties for strictly local needs.
Floyd County’s public works director, Michael Skeen, is drawing up a similar plan for the unincorporated area, which is in line for $2 million a year in discretionary funds.
The distribution formula is based on population and road mileage in each jurisdiction.
Some examples: Bartow County and its seven cities would share $3.1 million a year; Chattooga and its four cities would get $1.7 million a year; and Paulding and its three cities would get $3.4 million a year.
Rome City Manager John Bennett said the Georgia Department of Transportation won’t be providing local road money, other than a small paving allocation, no matter how the TSPLOST fares at the polls.
“It’s not a windfall,” he said about the discretionary funds. “It’s taking the place of state contracts.”
McCord’s proposed 5-year plan for the city of Rome includes $1 million for paving, $50,000 a year for drainage — starting with Billy Pyle Road and Dodd Boulevard — and $750,000 for sidewalk improvements and extensions to neighborhood schools.
Burnett Ferry and Chulio roads would be in line for $1,250,000 worth of drainage, paving, curb and gutter, and sidewalks. Traffic controls, transit and bridge maintenance also would get an influx of cash.
Public Services Manager Kirk Milam said bridges on South Broad Street, Walnut Avenue and East 12th Street “are on our
radar,” but the category also could include structures like the Riverside Parkway culvert and the Chief John Ross Pedestrian Bridge.
The budget may be adjusted from year to year, depending on priorities, officials said. “People need to know that if the TSPLOST doesn’t pass, we’ll still need to do these things,” City Commissioner Kim Canada said. “We’ll have to find the revenue somewhere.”
Link to Rome’s proposed TSPLOST budget
The 15 counties’ estimated discretionary funds
More about the TSPLOST referendum
Northwest Ga. Proposed TSPLOST Package
Total: $1.4 billion; Length: 10 years
Regionwide: $18 million
Transit operations, Program management costs.
Floyd County: $151.7 million
Reconstruction of Ga. 101 to Polk County line; Ga. 140 widening from U.S. 27 to Ga. 53; Discretionary funds: $36.3 million.
Bartow County: $182.6 million
I-75 interchange reconstruction at Cass-White Road; Douthit Ferry Road improvements; Emerson Old Alabama Road widening; Relocation of Ga. 20 from I-75 to Ga. 61/U.S. 411; Richards Road railroad crossing improvements; Ga. 140 widening from Ga. 53 in Floyd County to U.S. 41; Stamp Creek Road at U.S. 411 intersection improvements; U.S. 411 Connector; Widen U.S. 41 from Main Street to Ga. 61; Discretionary funds: $39.7 million.
Chattooga County: $8.6 million
Taliaferro Springs Road bridge replacement; York Road bridge replacement; sidewalk construction and repairs (6 projects); Ga. 48 passing lanes; Discretionary funds: $21.6 million.
Gordon County: $67.7 million
North Wall Street improvements; South Calhoun Bypass; intersection improvements at Ga. 225, Ga. 136 and Pine Chapel Road; Ga. 3/U.S. 41 widening; Ga. 53 widening; Discretionary funds: $24.2 million.
Polk County: $83.4 million
Marquette Road improvements; Reconstruction of Ga. 101 to Floyd County line; Discretionary funds: $22.1 million.
Walker County: $37.7 million
Crow Gap Road bridge; Euclid Road bridge; Glass Mill Road bridge; Hog Jowl Road bridge; Five Points Road/Osburn School Road intersection improvement; Johnson Road improvements; Old Lee School Road bridge; Ga. 341 sidewalks; Vulcan Road bridge; Wilson Road Connector to Tennessee state line; Discretionary funds: $29.7 million.
Catoosa County: $53.6 million
Candy Lane Extension; Dietz Road widening; Mack Smith Road widening and enhancements; Mineral Avenue widening; South Cedar Lane widening; Ga. 151 passing lanes, U.S. 41 milling at CSX underpass; Discretionary funds: $19.8 million.
Dade County: $28.1 million
New interchange on Interstate 59 North; Discretionary funds: $10.4 million.
Whitfield County: $136 million
Airport Road improvements; Dawnville Road widening; East Morris Street improvements; Glenwood Avenue, Hawthorne Street and Tyler Street turn lanes; Hill Road improvements; I-75 ramp improvements; I-75 interchange reconstruction; I-75 roundabout; Ga. 2 improvements; Ga. 201 at Ga. 2 intersection improvements; Ga. 201 realignment at U.S. 41; Ga. 201 widening; Ga. 71 widening; Underwood Road improvements; Veterans Drive extension; Discretionary funds: $37.2 million.
Paulding County: $164.2 million
Macland Road widening; Fiber optic traffic monitoring system and traffic control center; Ga. 61 improvements; U.S. 278 widening; West Dallas bypass; Xpress regional commuter service; Discretionary funds: $43.3 million.
Fannin County: $39.2 million
Old Highway 76 reconnection, Passing lanes on Ga. 60 Spur; Ga. 5 widening; Discretionary funds: $17.3 million.
Gilmer County: $34 million
John Teem Road Connector; Ga. 282 realignment; Ga. 52 Ellijay North Bypass; Discretionary funds: $17.7 million.
Haralson County: $34.7 million
Pedestrian and bike improvements on Business 27 South, Ga. 100 and Ga. 120; Ga. 120 West improvements; U.S. 27 railroad grade separation; U.S. 78 improvements; Wall Street/U.S. 78 intersection improvement; Discretionary funds: $19.3 million.
Murray County: $33.2 million
Bridge replacement at Dennis Mill Road and Rock Creek; Chestnut Street and Old Federal Road realignment; U.S. 411/U.S. 76 and Jackson Lake Road intersection improvement; Phase II bike lanes; Ga. 225/Spring Place Bypass; Ga. 225 roundabout; Ga. 225 improvements at Fox Bridge Road; Ga. 225 Phase II; Ga. 286 improvements at Cobb Road and Tom Gregory Road; Discretionary funds: $17.1 million.
Pickens County: $42.1 million
Camp Road extension; Ga. 515 improvements; Ga. 53 Business improvements; Discretionary funds: $15.3 million.
Source: Northwest Georgia Regional Commission
I want to ask other property owners in Floyd County: Does this not sound like extortion to you?
Just my two cents.
This is not a good plan and as GDOT has a problem with their finances already, I'm sure, it would be really irresponsible to give them MORE money to mishandle.
(...And the ONLY reason that 140 needs to be widened is because of Lowes. They cut Lowes a tax break and now they want citizens to pay for it. Politics at its best!)
And are we expected to BELIEVE the government will not change how the money is allocated? HA! The funds, IF they are actually ever used to improve transportation problems, will go to where traffic is the worst--ATLANTA CITY/METRO. This is like the tax setup for Fulton County... All the taxes are collected in North Fulton and pumped into the city--where nobody pays any taxes. This is the same thing... except it's on a state level.
And are we expected to not have any 'unexpected' events over the next 10 years? HA! Who knows where this country is going to be in 10 years? Not just in tax rates, but everything?
TSPLOST is like Obamacare. Yes, there is a problem that needs to be a addressed but THIS is NOT it.
If I know I am going to need a new dishwasher I plan on having that expense in my household budget. I guess budgets and planning don’t apply to government and GDOT?