New Atlanta DOT Continues Organizational Excellence

New Atlanta Dot Continues Organizational Excellence, Earns Reaccreditation

Michael Frierson, Public & Media Relations Manager, Department of Transportation, City of Atlanta

While 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. 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.

Atlanta Department of Transportation employees

In December 2021, former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms flipped a switch on two street lanterns representing the City’s commitment to increasing Atlanta’s streetlight footprint by 10,000 lights. Newly-elected Mayor Andre Dickens reinforced that commitment in his April 2022 “State of the City address.”

ATLDOT will continue to focus on providing transportation infrastructure that is safe and accessible to the City of Atlanta.

Currently, the “Light Up the Night” initiative is being implemented in partnership with Georgia Power based on streetlight inventory and assessment data collected by ATLDOT and a team of industrial engineering students at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). The team evaluated the city’s existing streetlight footprint and identified where additional lighting is most needed based on crime rates, crash rates and current lighting coverage.

Based on Georgia Power’s progress, the goal of installing/ repairing 10,000 lights will be achieved by the end of 2022.

ATLDOT Commissioner Rowan said the “Light Up the Night” project aligns with the City of Atlanta’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and injuries by prioritizing low-visibility, high-crash, and high-crime areas. Mariette Boulevard Complete Street Project

“The City of Atlanta is replicating successful lighting initiatives implemented in New York, Detroit, and other U.S. cities that have seen significant reduction in crime and crash rates. ATLDOT will continue to identify best practices that help us keep our neighborhoods vital and safe.”

A sidewalk inventory and assessment similarly focused on identifying areas of the city with the most pressing need for new installation and repairs. High-injury corridors, and areas close to schools, senior centers, and public transportation were considered high priority.

In its infancy, the new ATLDOT is establishing itself as a productive and industrious organization committed to excellence. Its dedicated employees have merged during the global health pandemic to plan and deliver vital transportation services and improvements throughout the city. ATLDOT will continue to focus on providing transportation infrastructure that is safe and accessible to the City of Atlanta’s pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, transit users, and scooter operators.

Michael Frierson can be reached at 404-710-9560 or mfrierson@atlantaga.gov.

Our concern for the environment is more than just talk

This publication is printed on Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified paper with vegetable oil-based inks. Please do your part for the environment by reusing and recycling.

Georgia DOT Awards $111 Million In Construction Contracts

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) awarded funding to a total of 23 projects, valued at a total of approximately $110,860,370.

The largest single investment, worth approximately $10 million, was awarded to Reeves Construction Company. This resurfacing project will consist of 10.934 miles of milling, plant mix resurfacing and shoulder rehabilitation on US 25/SR 121 from the Jenkins County Line to south of SR 24 in Burke County. This contract, along with 13 other resurfacing contracts, represents 64 percent of the awarded funds.

The largest bridge construction project, worth approximately $6 million, was awarded to Georgia Bridge and Concrete, LLC. The project consists of 0.464 mile of bridge construction and its approaches on SR 82 over Middle Oconee River in Barrow and Jackson Counties. This contract, along with four other bridge construction projects, represent 25 percent, or approximately $21 million, of the awarded funds.

Construction projects represent 8 percent, or approximately $6 million, of the awarded funds. Further information on the previously mentioned projects and the remaining 3 percent allotted to a rehabilitation project in Fulton County can be found in the award announcement list.

A Design–Build project was awarded to the team of Archer Western Construction, LLC and Heath & Lineback Engineering, Inc. in the month of May worth approximately $35 million. This Design–Build project constructs an auxiliary lane along I-285 westbound between Roswell Road and Riverside Drive. The project also includes a bridge replacement on Mount Vernon Highway over I-285 and the widening of I-285 over Long Island Drive to accommodate the auxiliary lane.

Contractors and consultants, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, registered small businesses and veteran-owned small businesses interested in bidding on projects or performing work must prequalify with Georgia DOT. To learn more, please visit www.dot.ga.gov/PS/Business/Prequalification/PrequalContractors.

Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We’re involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. The Department’s vision is to boost Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation.