Upgrades expected to improve tourism in Georgia
By CHIP PEARSON State Senator

Chip Pearson

These days, if you ask anyone who lives in Georgia the issue they would like their government to deal with, more than half of the responses would be transportation. With the world's busiest airport at Hartsfield- Jackson International and a major metropolis like the City of Atlanta, our state continues to grow and boom in rapid fashion. This type of growth brings about new issues that professionals, such as government agencies, urban planners and water and soil experts, must examine carefully to ultimately decide the best solutions to cope with the changes.

During the 2007 legislative session, the General Assembly considered different types of legislation affecting transportation in our state. In my role as secretary of the Senate Transportation Committee, I was also pleased to see that Department of Transportation (DOT) officials and other outside groups are currently studying ways to improve the infrastructure of our roads and our highway system. Here are a few of the measures that passed this year that make some smart changes to Georgia's highways, while boosting tourism at the same time.

Alternative Tourism Routes

Senate Bill 282 passed overwhelmingly in 2007 to make way for alternative tourism routes along U.S. Highways 27 and 441. The bill directs the State Board of Transportation to designate roads that are within the state highway system that traverse the state and pass through or in close proximity to historic sites or tourist attractions in Georgia as alternative tourism routes.

Under this bill, a driver headed down U.S. 27 could be enticed by signs to visit some of our great tourism destinations, such as the Chickamauga Battlefield, the City of Rome, Warm Springs and Callaway Gardens. Drivers heading down U.S. 441 can stop off to visit Tallulah Gorge State Park, the City of Athens, or shop at the outlet stores in Commerce on their way to Florida. The alternative tourism routes will be a great way for travelers to get off the beaten path and enjoy some of our state's beautiful landscape. Also, by emphasizing the alternative routes, more travelers will avoid congested interstate highways, like I-75, and tourism can be expanded across the state.

RV-friendly roads

I am pleased to report that SB 87, which I sponsored in the Senate, was recently signed into law by Governor Perdue. This legislation will incorporate the use of "RV-friendly" markers on specific signs for business establishments that cater to the needs of persons driving recreational vehicles. By directing the DOT to get this process started, we are not only helping families in Georgia, but we are also supporting the growing RV-tourism industry, which will bring needed tourism dollars to our state. RV-touring is a growing trend across the entire U.S., and by implementing these markers, we are encouraging these tourists to come visit our state.

New Welcome Center for North GA

Many Georgians are anxiously awaiting Governor Perdue's signature on the FY 08 budget. One reason I am looking forward to Fiscal Year 2008 is the inclusion of a $2 million DOT bond for the construction of a new welcome center for Tallulah Falls on the Rabun County side. At a Joint Economic Development Committee meeting last fall at Tallulah Gorge State Park, several local officials stated that a welcome center would bring tourist traffic in from off the highway and keep their dollars in Georgia.

I must commend the efforts of my colleague, Sen. Nancy Schaefer of Turnerville, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development in making this project happen. After meeting with local officials in Rabun many times, the support for a new welcome center grew and grew. I hope we'll see this project get underway in the upcoming months, because it will bring needed tourism dollars to the northeast corner of the state.Last week the U.S. Department of Transportation announced its recommendations that Atlanta should seriously consider adding a second major airport. U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters traveled to Atlanta to meet with local and state officials, including leaders in the state Senate.

Secretary Peters brought with her news that Atlanta is set to receive a $1 million dollar grant to conduct an extensive study on potential expansion and a second airport in the Atlanta area. We are in the very early stages of this process, and there is no way to tell if significant local support exists for another major airport. However, it is good to know that federal officials now recognize Georgia's importance in the big picture when it comes to transportation in our country.

Also, please note that DOT officials will hold a public information open house to discuss potential enhancements to the I- 75/I-575 corridor on June 5, 2007, at the Atlanta Civic Center at 5:00 p.m. With ongoing road construction projects such as the improvements at the I-85/SR 316 interchange, we can see the positive results of the Legislature, Governor Perdue and the DOT working together to improve our state's infrastructure.

In the upcoming years, we will see improvements to the I- 75/I-575 area that will reduce some of the congestion problems citizens are currently experiencing. For more information on this public hearing, contact the Georgia DOT at (404) 656-5267.

Remember to contact me in my office on the issues that are affecting you and your area.

Please feel free to contact Sen. Chip Pearson at his office in Atlanta at 404.656.9221 or by email at chip@team51.org