Gov. Perdue Certifies $146M in Metro Atlanta Transportation Projects

Gov. Sonny Perdue has submitted the required “1511 Certification” on transportation projects in metro Atlanta that will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“These funds include much needed road widening projects, improvements in our intelligent transportation system and upgrades to traffic signals that will ease congestion,” said Gov. Perdue. “It also includes $25 million to keep MARTA moving.”

Projects include widening of Eagles Landing Parkway in Henry County, improvements to 14^th Street in downtown Atlanta improvements and additional lanes on State Route 20 in GwinnettCounty. Gov. Perdue submitted the certification as part of a June 12 letter to US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood.

In the letter, the Governor informed Secretary LaHood that more projects will be certified as the Georgia DOT and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) amend their TIPs to include additional projects.

MARTA Looks to Hike Fares, Trim Services

If MARTA has its way, fares for using the transit system will go up while services would be cut according to budget approvals the agency's finance committee signed off on last week.

According to the panel, the vote was to hike basic fares by $.25 starting in the new fiscal year of July 1, while parking charges for nine lots would also be increased $1.

MARTA is also looking to halt trains from running after midnight, along with eliminating non-productive bus routes.

Public hearings on the proposed fare hikes and service cuts are set for June 16 and 17.

Identities Released in Deadly Multivehicle Crash

An Atlanta couple were killed Friday evening during a multivehicle accident in the southwestern part of the city.

According to authorities, killed in the accident just after 7 p.m., was William and Gay Culp.

The couple, both in their 60s, were killed when their car was struck by a truck that had become airborne after hitting a MARTA bus. Police said the truck's driver was exceeding the speed limit, driving on the wrong side of the road, and ran a red light before hitting the bus.

Police did not say what charges may be pending against the truck driver.

Brick Plaza Near Underground Atlanta Dropping

While no one was injured, local officials are reporting that a brick plaza close to Underground Atlanta started sinking only minutes after the Peach Drop on New Year's Eve. The plaza has continued to sink since that time, according to officials.

The gap began to form in the brick plaza just a few feet from Peachtree Street and directly on top of one of MARTA's busiest train stations.

City maintenance inspectors constituted a preliminary assessment of the area Monday morning and determined it would be best to keep barricades around the area until a full analysis of the area is completed.

Officials added that the area impacted is relatively small and visitors can still access Underground Atlanta.