MARTA Expansion: Paul Wants Lawmakers To Let Voters Decide

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Sandy Springs, GA -- Transportation was the theme of Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul’s State of the City address delivered Tuesday morning before the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce.

More than 200 local community and business leaders gathered at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North for the update.

Mayor Paul began his address with a progress report on City Springs. He encouraged the group to follow his Facebook page for his weekly project updates.

Calling mobility and transportation the city’s greatest challenge, the mayor called for the Georgia General Assembly to allow voters to consider a MARTA extension up the S.R. 400 corridor.

“MARTA is vital to the community’s long term economic health and quality of life,” said Mayor Paul.

The mayor noted a study that found 70 percent of Sandy Springs residents would use other options besides their cars if those options went where they wanted to go it a timely, efficient manner. That same study showed that even a 10 percent reduction in vehicular traffic would have tremendous impact on mobility.

In support of alternatives, 13 of 14 mayors, along with the Fulton County Commission, last week voted to support a MARTA extension if it included options besides just heavy rail. A funding bill is pending in the State Senate.

But even if a MARTA bill passes, it will be at least 10 years before it moves a single, new passenger.

Using House Bill 170, approved legislatively last year, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal allocated money to the Ga.400/ I-285 Interchange and managed lanes, which Mayor Paul called “a great gift.”

Mayor Paul also applauded his fellow Fulton County mayors and the county commission for using other provisions of HB 170 in working towards a parallel effort to generate resources for a regional road, trail and bike transportation network. This process could provide shorter term solutions while the MARTA extension is designed and implemented.

Finally, the mayor expressed hope that some of the solutions in the pipeline would make transportation fun instead of “shear drudgery,” and urged regional leaders to continue to think big, consider emerging technologies and to consider other transportation options besides traditional road and transit systems.

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Image via city of Sandy Springs