House committee meets at ABAC

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September 22, 2012

House committee meets at ABAC

Latasha Everson/The Tifton Gazette CNHI The Tifton Gazette Sat Sep 22, 2012, 09:50 PM EDT

TIFTON — The House Transportation Committee, headed by Chairman Jay Roberts, held a meeting/hearing Thursday afternoon at the Agricultural Sciences building on the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College campus.

This was the third of three hearings for Toby Carr, who was elected by the committee as the new director of planning for the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Roberts thanked Carr for his leadership and service to the state of Georgia and stated that he looked forward to working with him.

Appreciative of being elected as the new planning director, Carr said he will be working to achieve Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal’s three goals, which he told The Gazette involve improving the movement of goods and people through and within the state, maintaining Georgia’s role as a major logistics hub for global commerce, and leveraging public-private partnerships (P3) and intergovernmental cooperation.

He stated that they’re moving forward to change transportation for the better.

ABAC students had a chance to sit in on the hearing as the committee asked Carr several questions concerning congestion in metro Atlanta and other transportation issues.

Carr stated that they’re looking into alleviating some of the pressure by first looking at Interstate 20. Also, they’re looking at achieving better outcomes by focusing on what will enhance the performance of operation — improving a trip from point A to point B. To enhance reliability, they’re being extremely strategic with capital investment.

He noted that they’re looking at improvements that can be made for tomorrow, as well as looking at long-term solutions.

In addition, tolling was discussed. Roberts stated that as they move forward with new major roads being built in the future in the state of Georgia, there’s a potential of having some type of tolling.

However, one committee member expressed, “Perception is everything. I don’t want potential tourist dollars to get a bad taste. Toll roads can have a definite backlash.”

As the hearing came to a close, it was evident that the committee was confident in the choice of Carr as the new planning director.

To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.

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