Atlanta Regional Commission considers transportation plan changes – input wanted

by | Jan 3, 2025 | News, News 2 | 0 comments

The biggest job for the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), among many responsibilities for the regional planning agency, is the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) – along with its more short-term cousin, the Transportation improvement Program (TIP). The MTP is a federally designated responsibility where the ARC works with the state, 20 counties, various regional transit agencies and dozens of cities to plan transportation projects for more than the next two decades until 2050.




While likely updated several times between now and 2050, one of those potential updates is coming on Jan. 31 of this year. The ARC is looking for public input on the proposed projects in the amendment. The amendment would total more than $1 billion in additional federal funds for 123 projects across the region. Nearly $250 million of that is already accounted for but some of the priorities have shifted.


Total funding for the MTP is currently $168 billion in federal, state and local funding through 2050. Most of that is maintenance – 63 percent, but it also includes 21 percent for expansion of roads, transit and cycling/pedestrians; 11 percent for city, county and state agency operations; and, six percent for demand management.

The latest estimates show the Atlanta region adding nearly two million more people by 2050, bring the metro area total to just under 8 million. Think about how bad traffic is now. And then add two more million people. The MTP is revised regularly to keep up with shifting trends and funding abilities. Per the federal rules, projects must be “fiscally constrained” – in effect meaning funding needs can’t be too crazy.

Among the 123 projects:


  • PowerUp Atlanta will install 50 electric vehicle chargers at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • The City of Decatur will continue implementation of the Scott Boulevard Complete Street Plan
  • Right of way funds for Clairmont Road in DeKalb County (purchasing some land for a very busy intersection on North Druid Hills Road)
  • Roadway resurfacing in Clayton and Henry counties
A number of the projects are funding for the preliminary engineering required for major transportation work:


  • Preliminary engineering and construction funds for Kensington TOD Phase 1 (MARTA)
  • Preliminary engineering funds for SR 372 (Birmingham Highway) intersection improvements at Batesville Road and New Bullpen Road (City of Milton) (anyone want a roundabout?)
  • Preliminary engineering funds for Noonday Creek Trail Extension from Bells Ferry Trailhead and Shallowford Road at north end of Noonday Creek Park (Cobb County)
  • Preliminary engineering funds for Sandy Creek Road/Sams Drive/Eastin Road intersection improvement (Fayette County)
“The Atlanta Metropolitan Transportation Plan is a bold blueprint that will keep our region moving forward in the decades to come,” said ARC Board Chair Andre Dickens, who also serves as Mayor of the City of Atlanta. “These investments will help improve quality of life and ensure that our economy remains strong.”
The full list of projects can be found here:

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