Roads & Bridges

Transportation Funding in GA Georgia collects almost the least amount from motor fuel taxes (cents per gallon 4/3/09)… South Dakota Utah Kansas Oregon Idaho Minnesota Nebraska Montana Ohio Indiana3 Maine North Carolina Michigan3 Rhode Island West Virginia Nevada Hawaii3 Illinois3 Florida3 Connecticut4 Washington California3 New York3,4 Wisconsin Alaska2 Georgia3 Wyoming New Jersey4 South Carolina Oklahoma Missouri Mississippi New Mexico Arizona Virginia New Hampshire Vermont Texas Louisiana Dist. of Col. Alabama Tennessee Arkansas Iowa Colorado Kentucky North Dakota Massachusetts Maryland Delaware4

Transportation Funding in GA In recent years, Georgia has invested 45% less in transportation than other US states Total highway and transit resources – 2006* Dollars per capita Georgia has the 2nd lowest transportation resources per person in the U.S. Tennessee ranks last, with $354 of transportation revenue per capita Colorado Florida Texas Alabama Virginia North Carolina Georgia US average * Latest local resource figures available for other states are from 2005. The 2006 estimates of local resources are based on historical trends. Transit fares and other revenues are included in local receipts. Excludes proceeds from bonds and revenue generated by transportation that isn’t spent on transportation Source: Federal Highway Administration, National Transit Database, U.S. Census Bureau estimates

Background Greater fuel efficiency + usage + cost of repair = Less revenues and more expense Down economy and budget cuts Vital to Maintain & Grow Economy

PUBLIC ROADS 69% of GA Roads = County-owned 447.7 miles in Unincorporated Ben Hill County 86.26 miles = State & Federal 361.4 miles = County-owned (81%)

Public Roads 11% of GA motor fuel taxes LMIG 2013: $ 267,081 Road Mileage + Population 2013: $ 267,081 2014: $ 287,743 Plus SPLOST = $ 842,346 = 10.09 miles Resurfacing @ $ 83,483/mile vs $ 97,944

Public Roads Average 1134 vehicles/day Each Road is Different Wheel Rutting, Age, Maintenance = Leveling Loaded Timber Truck = 3,000 cars Clearcut (25-30 yr old) @ 3 loads/acre 100 acres x 3 loads x 3,000 = 900,000 cars Natural Timber (50+ yrs) @ 4-5 loads/acre

Background Resurfacing Paved Roads, over existing surface Bridge Work Not Included Dirt Roads No paving or maintenance costs included

DOT Resurfacing Standard Old: Every 10-12 years 171 miles = 15.55 miles /year New: Every 12-15 years 171 miles = 12.67 miles / year

Public Roads 2013: 55 miles = Resurface Immediately 2014: 44 miles Plus 21 miles in 2-5 years = 65 miles @ 5 miles/year = 13 years X $90K/mile = $ 5.85 M

BRIDGES 50% GA Bridges & Bridge Culverts – County Owned 42 in Unincorporated Ben Hill County 15 State-owned 27 County-owned (64%)

Bridges 9% of County-owned Bridges in GA = structurally deficient Only Perry House Road Bridge (4%) Shovel Ready Project - $ 891,362

Box Culverts Box Culverts not inspected by DOT 6 State-owned; 19 County-owned County Road Department maintains: 46 structures 12 bridges 15 bridge culverts 19 box culverts

Bridges Irwinville Hwy 48 189’ $1,477,791 Location Year Length Replacement Cost Irwinville Hwy 48 189’ $1,477,791 Bell Cabin 54 135’ $1,055,565 Dickson Mill (W) 54 32’ $ 250,208 Bethlehem Ch(N) 55 120’ $ 938,280 Bethlehem Ch(S) 55 80 $ 625,520 Tulip 55 80’ $ 625,520 Lower Rebecca 58 92’ $ 713,348 Perry House 62 114’ $ 891,362

Bridges Morning Glory 70 142’ $ 1,110,298 Location Year Length Replacement Cost Morning Glory 70 142’ $ 1,110,298 Dickson Mill (E) 74 102’ $ 797,538 Otter Creek 80 102’ $ 797,538 Gull 81 90’ $ 703,710 Sub-Total $ 3,409,084 All Bridges TOTAL $ 9,992,678

1954 Bridge Culvert Bell Cabin Road

1954 Bridge Footing Bell Cabin Road

Reinforced Footings Bell Cabin Road Bridge

1948 Bridge Footing Irwinville Highway

Reinforced Footings Irwinville Highway Bridge

FUNDING Federal – Transportation Enhancement and TIGER State – LMIG County: SPLOST TAVT Timber TIA

Funding Financial Limitations Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB)

Recommendations GA Legislature: Increase Gasoline Tax to national average Restrict Increases for LMIG and DOT Timber Taxes go to County Roads Repeal TIA 30% LMIG match OR Credit 30%(+) Matches

Recommendations County: Restrict Timber Tax / % of TAVT Revenues Analysis of Impact on General Fund Timber TAX Ordinance Plan 50% increase in 2017 SPLOST Road Funds Use LMIG Formula vs LOST Identify & Restrict Funds for Bridges