The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority was created by the General Assembly in 1999.

The authority is charged with combating air pollution, traffic congestion and poorly planned development in the metropolitan Atlanta region, which is currently designated nonattainment under the federal Clean Air Act.  As other areas of the state fall out of attainment, they would also fall under the purview of GRTA.  GRTA was formed to insure that metropolitan Atlanta can sustain its economic growth, while maintaining the excellent quality of life that has made the area so attractive to businesses and workers.

The problem

As Atlanta has grown at an explosive rate over the past few decades, it has become harder and harder to get around the region.  Atlantans drive almost 32 miles per day per capita, among the most of major cities in the nation.  Development in the Atlanta region now consumes about 50 acres of green space every day. From 1990 to 1996, the population of the region increased about 16 percent, according to Atlanta Regional Commission data, but the amount of developed land increased by 47 percent, three times faster than population growth.

The problem reached crisis proportions several years ago when use of federal funds for new highway projects was restricted in the 13-county metro area, because of failure to attain standards set by the Clean Air Act.

In June of 1999, the state DOT settled a lawsuit that had been filed by the Georgia Conservancy, the Sierra Club and Georgians for Alternative Transportation, challenging 61 road projects in the 13-county area. Under the terms of the settlement, only 17 of those projects could go forward until the region has a transportation plan that met air quality standards. The ARC adopted such a plan in March of 2000, the GRTA board subsequently approved the plan, and the lapse ended July 25, 2000 when the federal government approved the region's transportation plans. 

The solution

In 1998, alarmed by the restriction on use of federal road funds and national publicity about Atlanta’s air pollution and traffic problems, the metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce recommended that the state create a new authority with broad powers to deal with local governments. The creation of GRTA was one of the centerpieces of the Georgia General Assembly's 1999 legislative session.

Realizing that traffic and other growth-related problems must be addressed on a regional basis, the Legislature granted GRTA broad powers, which allow GRTA to use a "carrot and stick" in its dealings with local governments.

GRTA can issue $1 billion in revenue bonds and $1 billion in general obligation bonds, the latter of which must be approved by the General Assembly. The Authority can assist local governments in financing mass transit or other projects to alleviate air pollution.  GRTA board approval is also required for land transportation plans in the region, and for use of federal or state funds for transportation projects associated with major developments such as large subdivisions or commercial buildings, that affect the transportation system in the metro Atlanta region.  Local governments can override a GRTA veto of use of transportation funds for a development project with a three-fourths "supermajority." 

The 15 GRTA board members also sit as the Governor’s Development Council, and in that capacity they are responsible for assuring that local governments meet state requirements for land use planning.

Updated August 21, 2003