Georgia transportation officials set plans for additional $1.5 billion in spending

ATLANTA (AP) — Transportation officials on Thursday announced plans to spend an extra $1.5 billion on projects in Georgia.

Gov. Brian Kemp and lawmakers approved the money earlier this year, dipping into the state’s $10.7 billion surplus to speed up state and local roadbuilding.

The state Transportation Board, meeting Thursday in Atlanta discussed plans which include a $593 million boost to construction projects and $500 million to aid the flow of freight statewide. There’s also $250 million boost to county and city government road and bridge maintenance, $98 million to improve airports statewide and $50 million to boost repaving.

The funding will help accelerate 24 projects, officials said. Kemp and other officials say a better transportation infrastructure will help fuel economic growth. Overall, Department of Transportation officials say 80% of the money will go to expand roadway capacity.

“This funding will ensure our already reliable infrastructure network can meet the needs of that incredible growth,” the Republican Kemp said in a statement.

The money includes $238 million to plan for the widening of Interstate 16 heading inland from Savannah toward Statesboro, and to help pay for the beginning of widening work in western Chatham County. It will also pay $70.8 million for the last in a long series of projects to rebuild the interchange of I-16 and I-75 in Macon, although that project is still years from completion.

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