Cobb County: A Vision for a Better Future

Visions Light Rail - History, Overview, and Future

• Cobb County has engaged in transportation studies since 1994 whereby Light Rail has been proposed as a viable option to relieve traffic congestion and manage Cobb's steadily growing population as well as rise in transit ridership.
• Proposed schedule in moving forward:

• In this corridor and, what are the concerns about light rail; - Fall 2010
• Refine project description and identify funding. Continue coordination with state, local and federal agencies - August 2011
• Determine associated implementation steps - August 2013
• System operational - November 2019
• Typical Project Development Process (PDF)
  

Smart Corridor Project

Cobb County is partnering with Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Fulton County and the cities of Atlanta, Marietta and Smyrna on the “Smart Corridor” Project.

Key components of this innovative project are traffic signal system upgrades and cross-jurisdictional traffic signal coordination. Project area extends from Howell Mill Road in the City of Atlanta to South Marietta Parkway in the City of Marietta along the US 41/Cobb Parkway/Northside Parkway corridor.

Cobb Parkway Transit: Planning for the Future

Proposed Service Improvements:

Add limited stop bus service on Cobb Parkway from Acworth, to Kennesaw, Cumberland and Perimeter areas, o and to MARTA Arts Center Station
Add Queue Jump Lanes with Transit Signal Priority

Northwest Corridor Project

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) proposes to make transportation improvements to Interstate 75 (I-75) and I-575 in the Atlanta metropolitan region. The improvements are collectively referred to as the Northwest Corridor Project.

Alternatives

P3 Public Private Partnerships

A Public Private Partnership, or P3, is just what the name implies, a partnership formed by a public entity, in this case the Georgia DOT, and a private company or group of companies. Such a partnership allows us to better leverage the limited resources we have for major transportation projects by leveraging private sector innovation and capital.

Driven, in part, by a legislative directive, the Georgia DOT is implementing a P3 program designed to create a pipeline of projects that will deliver much-needed mobility improvements and support our state's ongoing economic development needs. Such projects, due to their magnitude and associated costs, would likely be beyond the Department's ability to pursue through traditional project delivery methods. P3 creates a framework that makes these projects possible, accelerates their delivery and brings additional transportation options to the traveling public.

IT-3: Investing in Tomorrow's Transportation Today

Georgia's effort to bring a results-oriented, strategic orientation to transportation planning and implementation. IT3 supports the work of the Georgia Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations throughout Georgia.

Statewide Strategic Transportation Plan 2010-2030 - Executive Summary

A new investment strategy supported by additional resources could transform our transportation network and create over $480 billion in GDP growth for Georgia over the next 30 years and generate up to 425,000 new jobs.

Concept 3

The Vision is a big picture, comprehensive multi modal plan that builds upon 30 years of previous transit planning. It is based solidly upon making the maximum use of the existing transit infrastructure, expanding on that investment and bringing the existing network up to and maintaining it in a state of good repair.

Concept 3 builds on over eight months of public comments and stakeholder input. It begins with the existing MARTA heavy rail system at its core, and extends this system in north east, southeast and west. For longer distance trips, Concept 3 proposes commuter rail. All of the proposed commuter rail lines provide service directly to Downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Three of the five proposed commuter lines would operate during the peak commute time periods and a fourth would have all-day rail service from Athens to Griffin through Emory, Downtown Atlanta, and the Airport. Commuter rail lines include: the East line from Madison through central DeKalb County and Downtown Atlanta; the West line from Bremen to Airport through Douglasville and Downtown Atlanta; the Southwest line from Senoia to Downtown Atlanta through Peachtree City and Union City; a north east line from Athens to Griffin through Emory, Downtown Atlanta, and the Airport; and a final fifth line would operate from Gainesville to the Airport through Gwinnett County, Buckhead and Downtown Atlanta.

Transportation Investment Act of 2010 (HB 277)

A bill to create the Georgia 2020 Transportation Trust Fund Oversight Committee to provide criteria for expenditures from the Transportation Trust Fund; to provide for allocation of funds from the trust fund; to provide a list of programs or projects to be funded through the trust fund to implement the additional 1 percent special transportation sales and use tax; to provide for related matters; to provide for multiple effective dates and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

ARC Plan 2040

Metro Atlanta area's plan to accommodate economic and population growth sustainability over the next 30 years. Includes an opportunity for assessment, evaluation and possibly redirection as ARC develops regional policies and actions that direct resources for transportation investments and provide assistance to local governments.

Quick Links to other transportation sources

Town Center Area CID

ATL N-S Strategy - Light Rail Feasibility North Fulton CID

Cobb County Comprehensive Transportation Program (CTP)

DeKalb County Comprehensive Transportation Program (CTP)

Fulton County Transportation Planning & Projects

Georgia Interstead System Plan (ISP)

Georgia Stimulus Package

Georgia Statewide Tranportation Plan (SWTP)

HOV System Implementation Plan

I-85 HOT Lanes

Revive 285 top end

Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)

State Transportation Board

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)