Georgia’s transportation infrastructure is set to receive a significant injection of funds. Governor Brian P. Kemp announced a $1.5 billion investment to improve the state’s roads, bridges, and airports. 

This funding, supported by Georgia’s business-friendly General Assembly, will more than double the state’s financial support for local transportation infrastructure. The aim, policymakers explain, is to address the needs of Georgia’s growing economy and population.

Governor Kemp commented, “Over the last few years, we’ve welcomed unprecedented job creation to all regions of the Peach State, and this funding will ensure our already reliable infrastructure network can meet the needs of that incredible growth."

He adds, "In the months and years ahead, hardworking Georgians will see further improvements to the roads and bridges they drive each day.”

The $1.5 billion investment will be allocated across various projects to improve safety, efficiency, and economic growth throughout the state. Key highlights of the spending plan include:

• Local Roads Funding ($250 million): This funding will more than double the state’s financial support for every city and county, allowing for critical local transportation improvements.
• Capital Construction ($593 million): The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will see a 58% increase in its capital construction budget. This funding will help manage cost increases due to inflation, accelerate existing projects, and initiate new strategic projects. The additional funds will expedite 24 key projects by a combined total of 43 years.
• Capital Maintenance ($50 million): The capital maintenance budget will be increased by 32%, allowing for the resurfacing of state highways across Georgia to ensure safer and smoother travel.
• Airport Aid ($98 million): Funding will be directed toward improvements at general aviation airports, improving connectivity and supporting economic development in various regions.
• Freight Program ($500 million): A new freight program will be established, focusing on 18 projects that will improve the efficiency, safety, and reliability of freight transportation across the state. This initiative will help accommodate increasing commercial truck traffic caused by sudden growth at the Port of Savannah and the new Hyundai plant in Ellabell.

The investment also includes specific allocations for critical projects, such as $238 million for the widening of Interstate 16 from Savannah toward Statesboro and western Chatham County, $70.8 million for the ongoing reconstruction of the I-16 and I-75 interchange in Macon, and $76 million to upgrade an interchange at Interstate 20 and Georgia 138 in Conyers.

In the north Georgia mountains, $51 million will be used to widen U.S. 23 (Georgia 15) in Rabun County, and $40 million will go toward widening Georgia 5 in Fannin County. Southwest Georgia will see $40 million allocated to widen Georgia 133 in Colquitt and Worth counties.

Engineering work will be funded to enable two-way traffic on the toll I-75 express lanes south of Atlanta, and it will be touted to address changes in traffic patterns since COVID-19.

Transportation officials have noted that the rising costs of roadwork, spurred by the recent federal infrastructure funding law, have created challenges in completing projects on time and within budget. However, the $1.5 billion investment will help get delayed projects back on track and kickstart new initiatives.

While this funding is a considerable down payment on Georgia’s transportation needs, officials acknowledge that more investments will be necessary in the future to fully realize the state’s infrastructure goals. “We’re going to have to make continued investments going forward to fulfill those to fruition such that they’re providing the mobility that we all need as Georgians, whether it be personal mobility or freight mobility,” said Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry.