For the first time, the city of Atlanta will create its own department of transportation, according to Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
The announcement was made during the latest annual State of the City Address. Bottoms hopes the creation will improve the safety and accessibility of city streets and bring new vision and leadership to meet the increasing demands of Atlanta’s growing population, which the Atlanta Regional Commission predicts will gain 2.5 million and 1 million jobs by 2040. Bottoms says the new announcement will also work within her One Atlanta agenda.
“Like my grandmother there are many working families who rely on public transportation. But the importance of transportation extends beyond buses and trains,” Bottoms said. “Today, I am proud to announce the creation of Atlanta’s first dedicated Department of Transportation, a one-stop-shop, combining the work of multiple City departments, to better deliver for Atlanta’s mobility future.”
To date, Atlanta consists of more than 1,500 miles of crisscrossing streets. Administration of those streets is spread between various agencies, with one handling road construction and repair, while another handles long-term planning. These abilities will be combined in the new agency, along with the Renew Atlanta Bond’s infrastructure investment program, transportation improvements and accessibility issues.
Creation of the DOT follows a study authorized by the Atlanta City Council two years ago and a feasibility review and internal assessment by the Mayor’s Office last year. While the Mayor’s Office currently anticipates setting the department up throughout the spring, final approval must come in the form of legislation enacted by an approving City Council.