New Atlanta Dot Continues Organizational Excellence, Earns Reaccreditation Michael Frierson, Public & Media Relations Manager, Department of Transportation, City of Atlanta
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hile change can be disruptive for some organizations, it served as a catalyst for excellence for the new City of Atlanta (GA) Department of Transportation (ATLDOT). Formerly accredited as the City of Atlanta’s Department of Public Works, ATLDOT recently earned APWA’s reaccreditation as a new department. In June 2019, Atlanta City Council legislation created a Department of Transportation to combine related functions into a central unit focused on building safer streets that equitably serve all Atlantans. A year later, the Offices of Transportation and Capital Improvement Projects, and the Renew Atlanta-TSPLOST Program, officially merged to become ATLDOT. Combining multiple functions into a collaborative department with a common vision has enabled the new ATLDOT to streamline its funding and project delivery pipelines, helping to ensure that all roadway projects meet Atlanta’s long-term economic and mobility goals. We are extremely proud of our transportation heroes, who have made this recognition possible. “Our staff’s mission is to deliver a standard of excellence with consistent quality and value for safety, equity, and mobility,” said ATLDOT Commissioner Josh Rowan. “Achieving APWA Accreditation in our first year as the city’s Department of Transportation reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff. We are extremely proud of our transportation heroes, who have made this recognition possible.” ATLDOT is organized into three offices working to improve ATL311 customer service response, citywide transportation maintenance, and new project planning, design, and delivery. Each of these units has well-defined roles and clear lines of responsibility: • Office of Transportation Infrastructure Management (TIM) maintains and operates the City of Atlanta’s multimodal transportation system for residents, commuters, and visitors. • Office of Strategy and Planning assures that all project designs address the City’s increasing need for safe and diverse transportation options, with high-quality pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. • Office of Capital Delivery manages major transportation construction projects funded through Renew Atlanta Bond, TSPLOST (Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax), Capital Improvement, and state sidewalk and resurfacing programs.
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Spring Street Viaduct Ribbon Cutting, pictured left to right: Josh Rowan, Commisioner, ATLDOT; Jason Dozier, District 4, Atlanta City Council; Jessica Fulton, Deputy Commissioner, Office of Capital Delivery In addition to earning APWA Accreditation, the new agency’s first-year accomplishments include: • 13,750 ATL 311 Customer Service work orders completed • 4,000+ linear feet of new/repaired sidewalks installed • 34 lane miles of roadway resurfaced • 10,000+ lights maintained • 2,800+ potholes repaired The new organizational structure focuses on detailed assessments and implementation plans for maintenance operations, and collaborative project planning and design that aligns with the City of Atlanta’s commitment to Vision Zero principles. Adopted by the City of Atlanta in April 2020, Vision Zero is a systems-based approach to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through safer street design, speed management and other proven strategies. While ATLDOT’s Office of Strategy and Planning oversees Vision Zero public outreach and mobility planning, every facet of maintenance and project delivery is implemented with Vision Zero goals in mind. In its infancy, the new ATLDOT is establishing itself as a productive and industrious organization committed to excellence. The City of Atlanta’s “Light Up the Night” initiative, for example, illustrates how ATLDOT views department operations through a Vision Zero lens. I s s u e 2 – J u l y/A u g u s t 20 2 2 | G EO RG I A P U B L I C WO R K S
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