ATL Board of Directors Adopts ATL Regional Transit Plan
For Immediate Release:
December 13, 2019
ATL Board of Directors Adopts ATL Regional Transit Plan
Critical First Step for Transit Investment Begins
ATLANTA – At its meeting today, the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) Board of Directors adopted the ATL Regional Transit Plan (ARTP).
The ATL Regional Transit Plan (ARTP) serves as a critical first step for transit investment in the region. It is the primary source for transit projects to be considered by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) for inclusion in the federally required short-range Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and long-range Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The ARTP contains a list of transit projects from which the ATL Board may select and recommend to the state for potential state bond funding each year.
“This is a watershed moment for mobility in our region. The ARTP will allow the ATL to make data-driven, objective recommendations on critical transit projects for state and federal investment,” stated Charlie Sutlive, Board Chairman. “This approach will allow the region to be more competitive on the national level in drawing down federal funding for projects.”
In total, 192 projects were submitted for inclusion in the 2019 ARTP by local governments, transit operators, Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), and other project sponsors. Projects were submitted across all 10 ATL Districts and totaled $27 billion inclusive of capital and operations and maintenance over a 20-year period.
“We believe that the level of impact that this $27 billion dollar portfolio of projects provides will better prepare us to address the mobility challenges we’ll face with the additional 2.9 million people expected to descend on the Atlanta region in the coming years,” stated Chris Tomlinson, Executive Director. “Moreover, our process of engaging citizens and key regional stakeholders gave us a greater understanding of how we can help improve mobility and promote seamless connectivity in their communities.”
In addition to the adoption of the ARTP, the Board Members were briefed with a Year-in-Review on the efforts and accomplishments of the agency since the establishment of the Board.
The next meeting of the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) Board of Directors is scheduled for February 6, 2020.
About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority
The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on The ATL, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
