The Georgia Association of MPOs has sent a letter to Georgia U.S. senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson to fight against a federal transportation bill that would effectively eliminate metropolitan planning organizations in areas that have an "urbanized population" of 200,000 or less.
The Gainesville-Hall Metropolitan Planning Organization would be among the 10 to 15 MPOs eliminated, said Srikanth Yamala, the organization's transportation planning manager and vice president of the Georgia Association of MPOs.
Gainesville-Hall County's population hit nearly 180,000 in the 2010 census.
"I believe it is of great importance to have local elected officials represent the needs of their constituents through the MPO planning process and have the final say in transportation-related activities," Yamala said.
"Changing the population threshold would disenfranchise local elected officials and the transportation planning process, which is extremely critical for a growing area like ours."
The MPO worked last year to produce a 2040 transportation plan, which was required to comply with federal air quality standards. The organization also worked with Hall County and Gainesville officials on plotting projects for the July 31 transportation sales tax vote.
Sonny Timerman, president of the Georgia Association of MPOs, sent the letter on Feb. 15.
He cites the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works' two-year, $109 billion "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century" transportation reauthorization bill, released Nov. 9.
MPOs that would be eliminated "may be required to transfer their responsibilities to the Georgia Department of Transportation," Timerman said.
"The primary role for smaller MPOs is to provide local input into regional transportation decisions," he said. "These decisions are often complex, cross political boundaries and dictate future economic vitality of our regions."
In a joint response, emailed by each senator's office, the senators said they believe " we need to do everything we can to increase oversight and ensure fiscal responsibility when it comes to federal tax dollars."
They also encouraged Georgia's MPOs to work with DOT Transportation Commissioner Keith Golden, Gov. Nathan Deal and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood "to respond to the new certification requirement."
DOT awards contract for new East Hall bridge on Ga. 52
The Georgia DOT awarded a $2.2 million contract last week for a new Ga. 52 bridge over Candler Creek in Gillsville.
The project, awarded to Sunbelt Structures Inc. of Tucker, is set for completion Sept. 30, 2013.
Information on construction and lane closure schedules will be released before work begins, DOT officials said.
The 112-foot bridge, built in 1940, has a sufficiency rating of 46.79 based on a 0-100 scale that measures structural integrity and other factors.
At 50, a bridge is considered structurally deficient. At 40, it begins to work its way into replacement plans.
Demorest man is named new assistant engineer for area
The DOT has named Chris York as assistant area engineer for construction in Banks, Habersham, Rabun and Stephens counties.
York has worked with the DOT since 1987. He has spent his entire career in construction management, serving as project engineer on the widening of U.S. 441 from the Tallulah Gorge to Clayton, the Homer Bypass and three airport improvement projects.
A Demorest resident, he also serves as pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Cornelia.
Jeff Gill covers transportation issues for The Times. Share your thoughts, news tips and questions with him: