Feds sending $122.4M to transit agencies in Georgia

(The Center Square) — The federal government is providing more than $122.4 million to transit agencies in Georgia.

According to an announcement from U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia, the money was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also called the bipartisan infrastructure law. According to a news release, agencies can use the money for transit infrastructure upgrades.

The federal tax dollars will go directly to urban transit agencies in Atlanta (more than $84.1 million for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority), Augusta-Richmond County ($2 million for the Augusta Richmond County Transit Department), Chattanooga and Northwest Georgia (nearly $2.6 million for the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority), Columbus (nearly $1.6 million for Metra), and Savannah (roughly $2.3 million for Chatham Area Transit).

In metro Atlanta, MARTA officials confirmed to The Center Square that the funding will support operating, preventive maintenance and capital projects.

In a statement, Ossoff said the money will “help families get around Georgia and connect more people with health care, jobs, school, and more.”

The remaining funding — $29.8 million — will go directly to the Georgia Department of Transportation. According to the release, the agency will disperse the money to smaller jurisdictions throughout the Peach State.

Separately, state lawmakers included more than $6 million in the amended fiscal 2024 budget for special harbor improvements at the Port of Brunswick.

“These funds, as well as expected federal dollars, will enable GPA to more effectively support the businesses and jobs that rely on Brunswick for efficient connections to global markets,” Georgia Ports Authority Board Chairman Kent Fountain said in an announcement.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommended improvements include a bend widener, a turning basin expansion ships can use before docking at Colonel’s Island and an expanded meeting area at St. Simons Sound.

The cost is expected to be more than $17.4 million, with a federal share of more than $11.3 million. The state allocation for the harbor is a pass-through to the Corps of Engineers to cover the remaining cost of the project.