Please send any comments to: Krystal Harris STIP Project Manager Email [email protected] Georgia Department of Transportation Office of Planning 600 W Peachtree Atlanta, Georgia 30308 Phone (404) 631-1987 STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS CERTIFICATION In accordance with Title 23 CFR 450.218, the Georgia Department of Transportation hereby certifies that its statewide transportation planning process is addressing major issues facing the State and its non-urbanized areas, and is being carried out in accordance with the following requirements: I. 23 U.S.C. 134 and 135, 49 U.S.C. 5303 and 5304, and this part; II. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2000d-1) and 49 CFR part 21; III. 49 U.S.C. 5332, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex or age in employment or business opportunity; IV. Section 1101(b) of MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act) (P.L. 112-141) and 49 CFR part 26 regarding the involvement of disadvantaged business enterprises in USDOT funded projects; V. 23 CFR part 230, regarding implementation of an equal employment opportunity program on Federal and Federal-aid highway construction contracts; VI. The provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) and 49 CFR parts 27, 37, and 38; VII. In States containing nonattainment and maintenance areas, sections 174 and 176 (c) and (d) of the Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7504, 7506 (c) and (d)) and 40 CFR part 93; VIII. The Older Americans Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 6101), prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance; IX. Section 324 of title 23 U.S.C., regarding the prohibition of discrimination based on gender; and X. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) and 49 CFR part 27 regarding discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Director of Planning Date FY 2013-2016 State Transportation Improvement Program Page Content 2 Introduction and Overview 6 Public Involvement Process 9 Governor’s Strategic Goals for Georgia 10 Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Contacts MPO Map Georgia MPO Contact List 13 Financial Plan STIP Amendment Process 28 Lump Sum Funding 31 STIP Funds by Category Pie Chart 32 Understanding STIP Entries 33 Map of Georgia 34 Index of Counties STIP Projects Appendix A Glossary Appendix B (Financial Information) Regular AC Projects to be Converted GARVEE Bond AC Projects to be Converted Appendix C (MPO Financial Information) STIP Fund totals by MPO Appendix D (Maps) Georgia Rail System Existing Urban and Rural Transit System Governor’s Road Improvement Program (GRIP) Draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program Introduction We are pleased to present the Draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for Fiscal Years 2013 through 2016. The Draft STIP lists Federally-funded transportation projects that are located outside Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) boundaries. Each MPO develops its own Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and questions about projects in those areas of the state may be directed to the individual MPO shown in the MPO Contacts section of this Draft STIP. The TIPs are included in the Draft STIP by reference without modification once approved by the MPO and the Governor or his designee. Purpose In order to receive Federal transportation project funds, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) produces the STIP annually. The STIP lists all highway, public transit, and multimodal projects proposed for funding under Title 23 (highways) and Title 49 (transit) of the U.S. Code. The STIP includes Highway, Bridge, Bicycle, Pedestrian, Safety, Transportation Enhancement Activities and Public Transportation (transit) projects. Project-related costs, such as preliminary engineering (PE), right-of-way acquisition (ROW), and construction (CST) are shown for highway projects; capital and operating costs are shown for transit projects. The projects are organized in alphabetical order by county with information on cost, description and fiscal year. Projects that extend into multiple counties are shown in the STIP under each county the project enters. Please see the Understanding STIP Entries Section on page 32 for detailed information on how to read STIP entries. Development Projects listed in this document were identified through GDOT’s ongoing planning processes and are vital to the state’s transportation program. Projects in the Draft STIP emphasize the maintenance, safety, and improvement of existing transportation facilities and public transportation systems. The projects support GDOT’s mission to provide a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to its citizens and environment. The Draft STIP is developed under the framework of the 2010-2030 2 Statewide Strategic Transportation Plan (SSTP) in an effort to coincide with the Governor’s Strategic Goals for Georgia and to achieve the outlined goals of: supporting Georgia’s economic growth and competitiveness; ensuring safety and security; maximizing the value of Georgia’s assets; and minimizing impact on the environment. This year’s Draft STIP makes great strides in the effective movement of freight around the state. Widenings along corridors designated under the Governor’s Road Improvement Program (GRIP) – see Appendix D (GRIP map) – and key connections to the interstate will improve the flow of freight throughout the state. There are also numerous congestion relief projects including several state route widenings and bypasses. However, as federal funds become limited in the future, we should expect more and more projects that can be classified as “asset management”. The 2010-2030 SSTP is available online at: www.it3.ga.gov. This Draft STIP serves as a document to provide all citizens and interested stakeholders with the opportunity to review and comment on the state’s transportation priorities for the next four fiscal years. Additionally in the non-MPO areas which the Draft STIP covers, projects are identified in direct cooperation with rural (non-MPO) local governments through formal, annual face-to-face meetings with GDOT as well as regular/ongoing informal contact with GDOT throughout the rest of the year. It is also developed with input from stakeholders and the general public. The Draft STIP was developed under all relevant guidelines provided by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), passed by Congress in 1998 and continued with the passage of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) in 2005 and most recently the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) passed by Congress in 2012. The Draft STIP is submitted to the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration for final approval. Public Involvement Through direct contact with local elected officials, as well as stakeholders and the general public, the Draft STIP is presented for consideration and comments throughout its development. In addition to the face-to-face meetings with local elected officials, the Draft STIP is presented at public meetings held around the state by GDOT staff that encourages questions and input. These meetings are held at various locations and are advertised through mailings and press releases. Comments and questions can also be submitted by mail, e-mail and telephone/fax directly to GDOT staff at any time throughout the year. The Draft STIP is also available on the internet at: www.dot.ga.gov/stip 3 Funding The Draft STIP is fiscally balanced and includes only those projects with funding available or having a reasonable expectation to obtain funds. Federal funds for fiscal years 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are program estimates and will not be final until after the Federal budget is implemented on October 1st of each year. Cost estimates for individual projects are based on the best available engineering estimates. These costs may change as a project progresses from preliminary engineering to the purchase of right of way to construction. If a cost estimate results from a change in the original scope of the project, the STIP will be amended including the necessary public involvement. If an increased cost estimate is based on updated engineering improvements rather than a change in the actual work, no amendment to the STIP is necessary if the cost increase is less than $2,000,000 or 20% of the amount to be authorized. The 20% scenario amount may not exceed $10,000,000. Greater detail may be found in the Financial Plan Section beginning on page 13. The most current Census data (2010) indicates that Georgia’s population growth rate from 2000 to 2010 was 18.3%, which is more than double the U. S. average population growth of 9.7% over the same time period. Georgia’s economy is also growing, leading to increased demands on the transportation system. The STIP process ensures that maximum benefits are received from available funding and that Georgia’s transportation system will continue to support and promote Georgia’s growth and economy. Based on the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP Project 20-24 (37)), Georgia invests less per capita in transportation than most other states. Despite this fact, Georgia ranks 1st for construction projects on budget at 85% and ranks 2nd for construction projects delivered on time at 85%. Georgia’s ranking is based on a 39-state study. Project List The continued emergence of the Port at the Savannah complex as one of the leading container ports in the United States has provided Georgia a great strategic transportation asset, giving the State a larger role in global trade. Savannah’s growth has introduced a range of economic development opportunities, particularly for distribution, warehousing, and manufacturing. Freight volumes, mostly in the form of containers handled by the Savannah Port Complex, have a direct impact on Georgia’s highway and rail networks.