Regional

transportation planners are hoping to see Fayette and

other metropolitan Atlanta residents abandon their cars

and use buses or trains over the next 25 years.

A proposed

new Regional Transportation Plan would spend 57 percent

of the region's $37 billion in transportation funding on

transit facilities, with a much smaller investment in

road improvements than ever before.

Atlanta

Regional Commission officials last week announced that

the 25-year plan has passed computer tests with flying

colors, showing that the increased reliance on buses,

rail, bike paths and other facilities will bring the

region into compliance with federal air quality

standards.

Failure to

meet those standards in recent years has brought a halt

to road construction projects.

"While

there are some new road projects planned, the

single-occupant car will no longer be the star of the

show," said Harry West, ARC director, after

announcing the test results.

A regional

public forum on the test results is slated for Oct. 26,

5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at MARTA headquarters next to the

lindbergh MARTA station. Detailed resuls of the testing

also will be shared with the ARC Board of Directors at a

working session Nov. 1.

An official

comment period is scheduled in January and February, and

the ARC board is expected to officially adopt the plan in

March 2000.

"Due to the efforts of

many, ARC is presenting plan results today that include

cleaner air and more choices for how we travel in the

future," said West.

"Not only does the

plan meet air quality standards by the region's target

date of 2003, it maintains and further enhances air

quality through 2025," said Jane Hayse, chief of ARC

transportation planning.

"This is quite a feat

in the face of the projected 40 percent increase in

population over the 25-year planning period." ARC

projects that the 10-county Atlanta region will gain a

million new residents by 2025, for a total of 4.4

million.

Fayette County officials

are still waiting to find out whether the plan includes

funds for widening Ga. highways 54 and 74, projects

considered critical in efforts to ease gridlock here. ARC

officials say more details on local projects will be

available at the Nov. 1 meeting.

If the plan is adopted by

ARC and approved by the federal Environmental Protection

Agency, among changes that Fayette residents will see

are:

More high occupancy

vehicle lanes on their way to work. The plan anticipates

spending $201 million to extend HOV lanes 15.9 miles down

Interstate 85, from the I-75/85 split to Interstate 285,

then from I-285 south to Ga. Highway 74.

Availability of commuter

rail service. The plan earmarks $70 million for a 31-mile

rail line from Atlanta to Senoia as part of $5.58 billion

in overall rail transit facilities.

Heavy rail available

nearby. The plan anticipates extending a south rail line

from Hapeville into the Southern Crescent.

A bus system. The plan

includes a 69 percent increase in miles of bus service,

including bus systems in each of the region's ten

counties.

Stricter emission control,

inspection and maintenance programs.

More bicycle/pedestrian

paths/lanes. Local officials are hoping a long-planned

bike path on Redwine Road from Peachtree City to

Fayetteville will be among $500 million in expansion of

the region's system.

The Atlanta Regional

Commission is the official planning agency for the

10-county Atlanta region, home to 3.2 million citizens.

As the metropolitan planning organization, ARC is charged

with coordinating the development of short- and

long-range transportation plans to serve the future needs

of metro Atlanta.

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