Delegation urging GDOT to maximize resources from bipartisan infrastructure bill to invest in public transit
Atlanta, Ga. –– U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) are leading a new push to expand public transit across Georgia.
Today they led the entire Georgia Democratic Congressional Delegation in urging the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to prioritize new funding opportunities in the bipartisan infrastructure bill to expand public transit, making it easier for people to get to the grocery store, work, school, and the doctor’s office — improving quality-of-life and increasing mobility.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill created new flexibilities in existing funding programs for states to invest in public transit — but only if states choose to make those investments.
“The [bipartisan infrastructure bill] is already delivering much-needed funds to our state,” the members wrote. “As a result of this flexibility and increased funding, GDOT potentially has hundreds of millions of dollars available annually for public transit … We strongly urge GDOT to invest these funds in public transit, which has the dual benefit of reducing emissions from transportation while also improving overall mobility.”
The delegation also called on GDOT to reverse its longstanding policy and use gas tax funding to invest in public transit.
In November, President Biden signed Sen. Ossoff’s Local Transit Planning Support Act into law to boost transit planning funding in low-income and low-density areas that have historically been underserved and lack access to public transportation.
Click here to view a copy of their letter.
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