Fast Forward Gaining Speed

ATLANTA (Mar. 18) - The State Transportation Board Thursday heard a presentation regarding the Governor’s Fast Forward Transportation Program that was established to reduce congestion while improving mobility and promoting economic development. 

   Carla Holmes, GDOT’s State Traffic Operations Engineer, told the board that the six year statewide transportation program is gaining speed going into its second year. Included in the program are plans for the expansion of the Highway Emergency Response Operator routes, the enhancement of NaviGAtor coverage, traffic signal efficiency optimization and further ramp meters being added. “The Fast Forward Program accelerates existing projects to do in six years what would have originally taken eighteen,” said Holmes. 

   The expansion of the HERO program will increase from 13 to 30 routes, covering approximately 286 miles during peak hours. To assist in that effort, Georgia NaviGAtor will begin filling in the coverage gaps, including I-285 both in the Northwest and Southeast parts of Metro Atlanta, and Ga. 400 inside of I-285. This enhancement will also help the growing needs of My NaviGAtor, a GDOT service that allows motorists to customize their profiles to view traffic related information, specific to their commute. To decrease travel time on arterials by reducing stops and delays, several traffic signal optimization projects have been introduced. In an effort to reduce travel times on congested freeways, the number of ramp meters on Georgia’s Interstate entrance ramps will increase from 5 to 119. 

   Also Thursday, the board approved a resolution designating a 55-mile route traversing state and county roads in Meriwether and Pike counties as a Georgia Scenic Byway. The designation highlights the historic character and natural beauty of the area, ensures the protection of these resources and creates new economic development opportunities along the route.

   Only the seventh scenic byway in Georgia, The Meriwether-Pike County Scenic Byway begins at State Route 85 in Warm Springs and continues north to Gay, where it extends eastbound along Flat Shoals Road across the Flint River before turning southwest on State Route 18 to State Route 190 by way of State Route 85, ending back in Warm Springs. 

   “This has been a long road for us,” said Sabra McCullar, FDR Warm Springs Visitor Center Tourism Director. “Working with the people at GDOT, we were able to get this designation with the cooperation of five different cities that this route runs through in Meriwether and Pike counties.”

   The board also adopted a policy regarding use of state equipment by board members. This new policy addresses the use of equipment such as computers, cell phones and other electronics that might be needed to conduct the business of the board. 

   In other business Thursday, the board presented resolutions to GDOT employees Thomas Pace, Jr., Paul Jordan, and Mark Vincent Foley. The three were cited for their military service in, respectively, the Army Reserve, Army National Guard and U.S. Marine Corps Reserves during the Iraqi conflict. Additionally, the board presented resolutions to retiring GDOT employees, Susan Carter and Paul Mullins. 

   The board also passed a resolution expressing its appreciation to outgoing board member Harry Dixon of Waycross for his contributions and service in meeting the transportation needs of the people of Georgia. Dixon joined the board in 2000, serving the 1st Congressional District. The former CSX Railroad Engineer was honored by several current and former colleagues, including former Governor Roy Barnes, who spoke of Dixon’s dedication and sense of humor. 

   Also, the board approved for the April letting 563 projects in 103 contracts for improvement to the state transportation system. The action was preceded by Wednesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting at which the projects were discussed.