Olusola T. Adekonojo

The meeting commenced with an opening prayer and the pledge of allegiance. Key discussions centered on project lettings and financial updates. The Board approved the projects proposed for the March 2026 letting, which included 28 total projects (27 G.LET and 1 local) estimated at approximately $280 million. The presentation provided updates on FY2026 results, noting 193 projects let for a value of approximately $1.82 billion through January 2026 bid awards. Several highlighted projects for the March letting included resurfacing on I516 and State Route 21 in Chattam County, safety improvements on I75 in Bibb County, and a major enhancement project for the Atlanta Belt Line Corridor in Fulton County, involving a shared use path. Updates on state fund collections for January showed $222.8 million, with fiscal year-to-date collections at $1.5 billion, putting the agency ahead of the previous year. Discussions also covered the need for I75 capacity expansion through express lanes and addressed findings from the American Truck Research Institute (ATRI) regarding freight bottlenecks in the state. Furthermore, specific completed projects from January were reviewed, including resurfacing on State Route 91, safety improvements in Oglethorpe County, a local bridge replacement in Johnson County, and a concrete rehabilitation on I520 in Richmond County. The Commissioner also provided an overview of recent inclement winter weather events, noting that preparation efforts were successful in managing the ice and snow events.

The legislative update covered the kick-off of the new legislative session, the advancement of the calendar, and the welcoming of new legislators. Key topics from the annual Georgia Chambers Eggs and Issues event included tax and insurance initiatives presented by the Lieutenant Governor and Speaker, and a transportation forecast from the Governor's anticipated budget. The Finance Committee meeting heard a report on the 2026 budget, noting increased funding for airport aid and local roads admin, restoration of the locomotive diesel tax cut, and specific allocations for capital construction and maintenance, and debt service. The Treasurer also discussed the implications of the pending federal Continuing Resolution (CR) on federal aid projects. The Program Delivery Committee received an overview of the Office of Program Delivery's management of over 1,000 statewide projects, including details on fiscal year performance metrics for authorized right-of-way phases and projects advancing to construction. The presentation also highlighted the encroachment permit process for large, locally or privately funded projects that districts cannot manage, covering key milestones such as concept reports, field plan reviews, and right-of-way acquisition requirements.

The meeting covered two main sections. The first part focused on the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report regarding freight projects, discussing federal aid matching, projects funded exclusively by state funds, and status updates on critical projects categorized by the SEI framework (foundational, catalytic, innovative). Discussions also included the status of projects within designated economic zones (International Ocean Zone, Inland Port Zone, Commercial and Industrial Impact Zone) and highlighted the significance of the agriculture sector relative to these zones. The second part of the meeting addressed cybersecurity for the Department of Transportation (GDOT), covering the protection of employees, applications, servers, and over 30,000 IoT traffic devices through a layered security shield.

This document, a business case for truck parking by the Georgia Department of Transportation, assesses current and projected truck parking challenges in the state. It outlines a multi-faceted strategy to mitigate issues such as shortages and unauthorized parking. Key strategies include exploring public-private partnerships, collaborating on supportive land use policies, developing a statewide Truck Parking Availability System (TPAS), monitoring tort reform impacts on parking access, and partnering with law enforcement to leverage TPAS tools. The plan aims to improve freight transportation, enhance safety, and optimize truck parking capacity across Georgia.

This Annual Report details the Georgia Department of Transportation's progress in implementing the Freight and Logistics Implementation Plan (FLIP) during Fiscal Year 2025. It outlines accomplishments across three key project categories: Foundational, Catalytic, and Innovative. The report emphasizes strategic investments guided by the HB 617 framework to support a safer, more efficient, and robust freight network, ensuring reliable and cost-efficient freight movement for Georgia's key industries and economic growth.