Editor’s note: With its population growing, transportation costs rising, the popularity of safe-streets infrastructure trending up, and yes, FIFA World Cup matches on the horizon, the City of Atlanta finds itself at a crossroads, according to Propel ATL.

The 33-year-old nonprofit (formerly Atlanta Bicycle Coalition) advocates for safer streets, biking infrastructure, and a more connected transportation system for getting Atlantans safely around the city. But achieving that in the short term is under threat, the agency posits, by the proposed Atlanta Department of Transportation fiscal year 2025 budget unveiled last week. Propel ATL leaders fear the budget will lead to more stagnation and unrealized promises, setting Atlanta further behind its competitors.  

Propel ATL is calling on the city to boost its transportation department spending to a level matching that of its urban peers. The following letter submitted to Urbanize Atlanta has been lightly edited for clarity and space:

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Despite a growing population and increasing demand for efficient transportation, the recently announced Fiscal Year 2025 transportation budget fails to repair a paralyzing budget cut the administration of Mayor Andre Dickens made last year.

In fact, the FY 2025 budget announced last week doesn’t even keep up with inflation, adding just a 2 percent increase for the Atlanta Department of Transportation.

This drastic reduction directly hampers ATLDOT’s ability to manage a growing list of urgent projects and to maintain safe conditions on our streets, a situation that should be of great concern to all Atlantans.

Atlantans in every neighborhood share the desire for safe, thriving streets and the autonomy to travel freely to jobs, schools, and essential services. A reliable network of public transit, bus lanes, bike lanes, sidewalks, and crosswalks is not only a hallmark of a healthy, sustainable city but also the most affordable way to get around.

But the FY 2025 budget announced by the administration would allow the department to add just two positions. Two. It actually reduces the funds available for ATLDOT salaries overall. In comparison, the budget adds 43 new positions to the Department of City Planning and 44 to the Mayor’s Office.

Breakdown of the City of Atlanta's proposed FY2025 General Fund budget, which totals about $854 million. ATLbudget.org

Atlanta transportation is falling short of promises and potential. Here’s how:

2023: The administration reduced the ATLDOT budget by more than 12 percent to $50.7 million. $50.7 million is about three times less than the transportation budgets of other, similarly sized cities, whose median transportation budget is $164 million. 

2022: Atlanta residents voted overwhelmingly for transportation improvements with “Moving Atlanta Forward,” a capital fund to build infrastructure projects. But we have yet to see the attendant increase in ATLDOT staffing levels—and now the budget’s been further slashed. The promised projects can only be delivered if ATLDOT has the personnel to design, approve, and manage them.

2015-2016: Atlanta residents voted for the Renew Atlanta Bond and TSPLOST 1.0 projects, which included a significant investment in Complete Streets projects. But neighborhoods across Atlanta are still awaiting the Complete Streets projects promised in 2015-2016. Capital funds must be matched by sufficient operating funds or the whole enterprise doesn’t work.

The City of Atlanta stands at a pivotal point. We have the potential to dramatically improve our transportation infrastructure with adequate funding.

Completing long overdue street redesigns like those slated for Monroe Drive, Lee Street, and South Boulevard have the power to boost local business, improve our environment, and enhance the quality of life for our half-million residents while reducing inequities in access to transportation and mobility options that still plague many parts of our city. And as Atlanta prepares to welcome the world for the 2026 World Cup, the need for a robust, efficient transportation system becomes even more pressing. 

We have a consensus on what makes communities thrive. We are calling for an increase in the fiscal year 2025 operating budget for ATLDOT, including: 

  • Significant investment in higher staffing levels to manage the 2022 Moving Atlanta Forward infrastructure projects and overdue 2015 and 2016 projects; engineers to provide high-quality, lower-cost designs in-house; planners to make rapid progress on Vision Zero and Safe Routes to School; and maintenance crews to maintain safe conditions on our streets. 
  • $10 million for necessary, quick-response safety improvements.

This Thursday, May 9, the Atlanta City Council will have the opportunity to question Atlanta Department of Transportation Commissioner Solomon Caviness at the department’s budget briefing.

As the mayor and city council hold discussions and public meetings through June, we have reached the crucial moment for residents to voice their support for this essential funding increase so that our city can thrive—now and for years to come.

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