TRANSPORTATION IS THE ENGINE FOR A GROWING ECONOMY. We are grateful to the Governor and the State Legislature for their commitment to provide additional funding to meet the backlog of transportation needs that exist within our state. With the estimated $900 million in additional annual transportation funding, we can move from the consistent deterioration of our transportation system to maintaining and improving our transportation network; and in the end, making Georgia the number one state for business.

RUSSELL R. MCMURRY, P.E.

Commissioner

Georgia Department of Transportation

/// Accomplishments

■ The Transportation Investment Act passed in 2012 resulted in successful collections of $134,559,862 in FY 2014. Over 100 projects in three regions were awarded in 2014 valued at $122 million.

■ In Gwinnett County, the SR 316, Collins Hill and SR 20 interchange will extend limited access along SR 316 by reconstructing the first two signalized intersections (Collins Hill Road and State Route 20) into one interchange serving both roads.

■ Launched in 1994, the Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) program celebrated its 20th Anniversary. The program began with a staff of only 12 HEROs and 5 vehicles and patrolled approximately 40 miles. HEROs now patrol 310 miles of metro Atlanta Interstates and Freeways on 31 routes every day during peak hours. The program includes 68 HEROs, 102 vehicles and 5 support staff members.

/// Looking Ahead

■ Thanks to the foresight and commitment of the State legislature, a new funding bill, HB 170 was passed in the 2015 legislative session. The Transportation Funding Act will provide an estimated additional $900 million annually for transportation investment. Primary funding sources include the increase in the state motor fuel excise tax rate, hotel/ motel nightly fee, alternate fuel vehicle fee, and heavy vehicle annual impact fee.

■ The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project or SHEP will deepen the Savannah Harbor federal shipping channel from its current depth of 42 feet to a final depth of 47 feet. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the lead federal agency for this project, and the Georgia Department of Transportation along with the Georgia Ports Authority serve as co-sponsors.

■ Georgia Express Lanes is a network of toll managed lanes being built along our most congested interstates in metro Atlanta. Construction on the Northwest Corridor and I-75 South Metro began in the fall of 2014, and procurement activities are ongoing for the extension to the I-85 Express Lanes currently in operation. Georgia Express Lanes provide a choice for a more reliable trip; better connectivity to job and activity centers; and enhanced economic opportunities for the region and state.