Now that the plan is completed

and prioritized, Fayette County officials are struggling with how to pay

for the projects. The most prevalent idea that was floated during last

week's transportation summit was a one-cent added sales tax.

"We just can't do

it with a property tax anymore," said Commission Chairman Greg Dunn.

Dunn said a Special Purpose

Local Option Sales Tax could generate between $110 and $120 million over

five years to help pay for the massive plan.

The chairman favors having

a committee made up of all the jurisdictions in the county to evaluate

all the projects in the county and tweak the priorities over the life

of the tax.

"We needed to be armed

to the teeth when we go to the ARC and if we have a plan and possible

funding in place, we can leverage addition funding," he said.

The elected officials at last

week's meeting did not decide whether to call for a SPOST vote in

next year's elections, but realize their options are limited when

it comes to finding the money to fund the projects.

Some of the major projects

not in the top 10 involved in the plan include:

The widening of Tyrone-Palmetto

Road from Ga. Highway 74 to the Coweta County line. The project is estimated

to cost $14.4 million and is pegged for the year 2025.

The widening of Ga. Highway

314 from Ga. Highway 279 to Norman Drive in Fulton County. Officials estimate

the cost at $15.9 million, with the federal government picking up the

tab.

Increasing the lanes on McDonough

Road from two to four lanes is slated for the year 2010 and its estimated

price tag is $11 million, with the Georgia Department of Transportation

picking up most of the costs.

Improving the conditions on

Ga. Highway 92 South. Officials want to add turn lanes and intersection

improvements from McBride Road south to the county line. The project would

cost $20 million and be completed in 2025.

A complete overview of the

transportation plan is available at the county offices.

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