DOT discusses tolls, sales tax

By Donnie Fetter
Friday, Oct. 24, 2008
  • Comments (4)
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    A drive to Atlanta might cost more in the future.

    State transportation officials said Thursday they're considering toll roads, mostly in the Atlanta area, as a revenue source. Extra sales taxes were also among funding possibilities discussed Thursday at a Georgia Department of Transportation meeting at the Columbia County Library.

    DOT Commissioner Gena Evans said either tolls or a 1-cent sales tax for DOT projects would provide "a more sustainable source of funding" as the current gasoline tax appears too unpredictable. Development of more fuel-efficient or alternative fuel vehicles also could diminish the fuel tax.

    "It would affect folks in Augusta traveling through Atlanta," said DOT spokeswoman Crystal Paulk-Buchanan. No tolls are being considered for Augusta, she said, but someday they might.

    Better roads and lower traffic congestion improve business opportunities in the state, Dr. Evans said. Businesses considering relocating to Georgia often examine congestion during peak driving times as a factor in their decisions.

    "One of the things we must do is support economic growth with transportation," Dr. Evans said.

    Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.

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    Comments

    Craig Spinks
    Craig Spinks
    Friday, Oct. 24 4:30 AM

    Commissioner Evans also stressed the importance of a multi-modal approach to our mobility problems and lauded her department's Safe Routes to Schools(SRS) program which affords children the opportunity to walk and/or bike safely to schools near their homes. Dr. Evans also praised Board Chair Bill Kuhlke for his hands-on, hard-nosed-business approach to department oversight. The increase in GDOT work in our area is linked to Kuhlke's ascendancy to the GDOT board chairmanship. KUDOS to Evans, Kuhkle and GRTA Chair Anderson for making themselves available to meet with the people who pay their salaries and expenses!

    imdstuf
    imdstuf
    Friday, Oct. 24 8:18 AM

    Toll Roads are for yankees.

    uhhuh
    uhhuh
    Friday, Oct. 24 9:05 AM

    Guess we will be looking for different routes!

    TrukinRanger
    TrukinRanger
    Friday, Oct. 24 10:46 AM

    thistownisunbelievable
    thistownisunbelievable
    Friday, Oct. 24 2:04 PM

    Amen imd. Especially toll roads for existing highways. Instead of considering future toll roads here, maybe GADOT should consider actually finishing one of the many project they have going on around here. How about starting with fixing the lights on Washington Road so the sensors actually work? The paved it, but seem to have forgotten about coming back in to do that finishing touch. They also might consider going to three shifts on the I-20/520 exchange so it is finished before automobiles become obsolete.

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