Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 7246 S G M A G A Z I N E | FA L L 2 0 1 6 B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 47 With almost 18,000 miles of interstate roads and state routes, it is no surprise that Georgia has the 10th largest transportation network in the U.S. For 100 years, the Georgia Department of Transportation has overseen the construction and maintenance of the state’s roads and bridges, and interstate highways. Georgia DOT provides planning and financial support for other modes of transportation, including rail, transit, general aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian programs. The department is also involved in waterways, including the Savannah and Brunswick ports and intracoastal waterway. On an economic forefront, the Georgia DOT is focused on providing a strategic approach to transportation investments that accommodate freight growth and logistics. As described in the Governor’s Task Force on Freight and Logistics final report (2010-2050), Georgia’s logistics industry accounts for up to 18 percent of the state’s gross state product and includes 5,000 companies providing logistics services and employing more than 110,000 workers. People, Places, Things: Georgia’s Investment in Logistics Keeps Everything Moving in the Right Direction PHOTO: PAUL LEAVY 46 S G M A G A Z I N E | FA L L 2 0 1 6 Georgia’s logistics industry is part of an even bigger economic picture, with more than 30,000 businesses relying on logistics companies to facilitate the movement of goods through a supply chain, which represents more than 700,000 people and generates over a half trillion dollars of annual revenue. According to the Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics, shippers in every industry sector depend on Georgia’s roadways to transport more than $620 billion in cargo (40 million tons of freight) each year. The Transportation Funding Act (TFA) of 2015, which is also referred to as House Bill 170, generates sustained annual revenue to specifically fund transportation routine infrastructure maintenance and capital improvements. According to the Georgia DOT, plans are underway to advance 11 major mobility improvement projects across the state during the next 10 years that will yield a considerable reduction in congestion along key freight and mobility corridors. “While the primary focus of TFA is to address deferred maintenance of critical infrastructure, the funds resulting from the Transportation Funding Act also enable us to leverage federal funds to address major mobility improvement projects that will help reduce congestion across the entire state transportation network,” Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. said. “These projects will help to significantly improve mobility for the growing freight and logistics industry.” South Georgia’s Gateway In South Georgia, HB 170 has already infused millions of dollars for bridge repairs and road improvements, and these projects have assisted the state and local governments in meeting transportation needs that have been delayed due to funding issues. Projects scheduled in the near future, which will be funded through HB 170 and federal allocations, include construction of four-lane bridges on I-75 at exits 2, 11, 22, and 29 and a lane extension at exit 2 to improve vehicle access, especially for commercial trucks. Within the city of Valdosta, Jerry Jones will gain a lane extension from Baytree Road to Oak Street. Tim Golden, State Transportation Board member, is excited to see all the orange barrels lining the roads in South Georgia because it means funds from HB 170 are hard at work. “House Bill 170 provides the Georgia Department of Transportation with sustainable funds to be used for bridges and road improvements, which frees up federal funds to be used in other capacities,” said Golden, who represents 24 counties in the 8th Congressional District. “It is also assisting local governments with projects like bridge replacements and repairs, resurfacing, and safety improvements on existing roadways.” Georgia’s interstate roads and state routes also help support a booming $58.9 billion tourism industry. “We immediately think about truck traffic on some of these interchanges, but it is also about tourism,” said Golden, who served as a state senator and a representative for 24 years. “We want Georgia’s roads to be the safest in the country, not just for commercial traffic but also for residents and all the tourists that pass through our state.” The roadways are not just for commercial traffic. They also impact Georgia’s more than 10 million residents. “Transportation affects every aspect of life,” said Chad Hartley, Georgia Department of Transportation District 4 engineer. “Going to the hospital, school, work, visitors passing through While the primary focus of TFA is to address deferred maintenance of critical infrastructure, the funds resulting from the Transportation Funding Act also enable us to leverage federal funds to address major mobility improvement projects that will help reduce congestion across the entire state transportation network. These projectswillhelptosignificantlyimprovemobility for the growing freight and logistics industry. Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 47