The new regional tax on the ballot in 2012 has revived talk of the Atlanta-to-Macon commuter, which was a hot button issue a few years ago. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is looking at how the idea now plays in Henry County:
If an earlier vote is an indication, residents such as Meeks are open to paying an extra penny in sales tax — part of the 2012 transportation referendum — if it will mean smoother commutes not just on the highway but on the state roads that carry local motorists.
In 2007, voters in Henry County easily approved a special-purpose local-option sales tax to help address road needs. However, that was before the economic downturn.
Henry lies on the southeastern edge of the 10-county region that will vote on the transportation tax next year. The county has submitted suggestions for a regional project list that reflects the county’s need to ease the crowding on I-75. Its largest request is for $83.5 million to widen nearly all of Ga. 42 as it loops north and south through the county. The road, also known as U.S. 23, is the main arterial to the east of the interstate.
A second major project calls for building a parallel connector road to the west of the highway between three of the county’s I-75 exits. The road, between Hudson Bridge Road and Jonesboro Road, is projected to cost $17.2 million.
The projects offer local drivers a way to stay off the highway, while also creating more space so trucks coming from the county’s two industrial parks have easier interstate access.
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With its project list, neighboring Clayton County has revived the possibility of launching passenger rail service between Atlanta and, eventually, Macon. The project, last estimated at $156.7 million for one leg, includes a stop at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, at the fringe of Henry County.The chamber and business leaders argue the connection will help funnel people to one of the county’s top tourist attractions (the other being Tanger Outlet Center at Exit 212) and give residents more options.
A rail line is not going to take enough people off the roads to substantially affect commute times. But since density will be increased through zoning changes that will no doubt be enacted, it will be successful in creating more congestion.
The AJC notes that the Atlanta-to-Lovejoy section being pushed by Clayton County would cost over $156 million; of that $87 million has already been earmarked. However, the cost of full project – Atlanta-to-Macon – has increased substantially; I’m told it’s around $800 million (remember, the track already exists). And remember, cities and counties along the rail line would be responsible for the operational costs.
And in all of this, Northfolk Southern, which barely uses the line that this rail would run on, can move capacity from other lines after the tracks are upgraded. So they’re getting a sweat deal out of it, and they know it.
“In 2007, voters in Henry County easily approved a special-purpose local-option sales tax to help address road needs. However, that was before the economic downturn.”
That was also before the County Commisioners showed that they were willing to divert SPLOST money away from projects and into maintenance. Another SPLOST vote might have a harder time, at least in Henry.