$7.5 million T-SPLOST for a bus system

What costs less than $10 million to widen New Bethel Road from 2 to five lanes and less than $8 million to widen Old US 41 North? The answer is $7.5 million for a Valdosta Urbanized Area Transit System
…including the creation and maintainance of a Public Transit System in the City of Valdosta and Greater Valdosta-Lowndes County.
What would be the benefits?
This project will provide mobility options for all travelers; improve access to employment; and help mitigate congestion and maximize the use of existing infrastructure by promoting high-occupancy travel.
And that’s the entire description for this project. Nothing about promoting sprawl. Would actually promote dense close-in development. Can’t be very important, then, right?

Not when the sprawl plans for Val Del Road and Cat Creek Road add up to $6 million, or almost enough for the entire bus system.

Last time the transit system was being considered by the county, I was asked by a prominent local politican, “would you ride it?” Not every day. But more often than I would drive on the $10 million five lane New Bethel Road.

If you’re interested in a potential bus system, here is a lot more information about it.

Here’s what Lowndes County submitted for T-SPLOST funding, extracted from the 171 page PDF.

Project Sheet

Project Number:
RC11-000103
Project Name:
Valdosta Urbanized Area Transit System
GDOT ID:
 
Project Description:
This project includes the creation and maintainance of a Public Transit System in the City of Valdosta and  Greater Valdosta-Lowndes County.
Regional Commission:
Southern Georgia
Unconstrained List:
Yes
County:
Lowndes County
Phase Total Project Cost Total Amt Requested
TR-O $2,500,000 $2,500,000
TR-C $5,000,000 $5,000,000
Total $7,500,000 $7,500,000
Comments:
Public Benefit Notes
Increasing Modal Options This project will provide mobility options for all travelers; improve access to employment; and help mitigate congestion and maximize the use of existing infrastructure by promoting high-occupancy travel.
Project Location

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