ATLANTA — The State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) voted Tuesday to issue $75 million in bonds for transit projects across Georgia.

Along with $100 million in bonds to repair or replace aging bridges, the transit money was folded into the fiscal 2016 state budget as part of the debate during this year’s General Assembly session that led to passage of a $900 million transportation funding bill.

While the bonds authorized by the State Transportation Board last month were accompanied with a project list of 25 bridges, projects have yet to be chosen for the transit funding.

First, SRTA will establish criteria for local transit agencies wishing to apply for the money, said Bert Brantley, the agency’s deputy executive director. SRTA then expects to issue a call for project submissions this fall and choose winning projects next spring, he said.

“We don’t want to rush it,” Brantley said. “We want to give the transit operators time to fully develop [project proposals].”

The budget originally called for $100 million for transit projects. However, $25 million was taken out and dedicated to other purposes, primarily a planned regional workforce training center near the “Savannah Megasite,” a 1,558-acre property at interstates 16 and 95 the state has been trying for years to peddle to auto manufacturers eying Georgia.

Atlanta Business Journal