GHMPO plans for possible passage of T-splost

GAINESVILLE - Even though a vote on a regional transportation tax won't take place until July, the various jurisdictions in Hall County are in the process of putting together a list of projects just in case the T-splost does pass.

The Gainesville-Hall Metropolitan Planning Organization (GHMPO) met Wednesday morning to outline some of those projects, and a list should be released to the public shortly.

"Definitely in the next couple of weeks because we are looking at three months close to the vote now," said Srikanth Yamala, Transportation Planning Manager for GHMPO. He said it's important voters know how local governments plan to use any proceeds that may come their way.

Under the Transportation Investment Act, or TIA, 25-percent of the proceeds generated by the tax will be distributed to local governments.

Representatives from Hall County, Gainesville, Flowery Branch and Oakwood took the time to outline possible projects that each jurisdiction could use T-splost dollars to accomplish.

Each city discussed a few specific projects, but there were some common threads on every list: resurfacing of roadways, building of more sidewalks, intersection improvements.

Oakwood City Manager Stan Brown told the group he wanted voters to understand that the projects that will be presented are not projects that local jurisdictions have just "dreamed up."

"They are existing projects," said Brown.

Brown emphasized that while the T-splost dollars that are expected for each entity will not fully fund large projects, the monies would go a long way toward helping to offset expenses for transportation projects.

"Either we make the choices to maintain the infrastructure that we have, and have to pay for it some way, or we're going to let it go to a level that none of us want to see," he said.