This weekend, Setzler emailed his proposal to county chairman Tim Lee and Kennesaw Mayor Mark Mathews, who sit on the 21-member roundtable charged with designing the transportation project list for the 10-year sales tax referendum next July.
Lee said he appreciates Setzler’s input, however, at first blush, “I don’t think it’s been vetted properly to allow it to be incorporated, but I have to meet with staff to find out if that’s accurate. No one’s ever heard of these concepts prior to him presenting it to us.”
Mathews said any project the roundtable considers must come from Georgia Department of Transportation Planning Director Todd Long’s unconstrained list.
Setzler uses project ID numbers from Long’s list. For instance, he takes the proposed $856.5 million earmarked for Midtown-to-Cumberland rail and allocates $106.5 million for improvements to the Western & Atlantic Rail line owned by the state, to support daily passenger service from Cartersville to Atlanta.
“So he’s redefining the projects and reusing the project numbers?” Mathews asked. “I can’t make a decision based on that until Todd Long says he can do that if he wants to.”
Setzler said spending $106.5 million on improvements to the Western & Atlantic rail line for passenger use instead of building light rail from Cumberland to Midtown makes use of a resource Cobb already has.
“What this money does is it provides enhancements that even with the increased freight volume we’re going to see in the next 20 to 30 years would make this a long-term viable alternative,” he said.
Setzler divides up the rest of the Cumberland-to-Midtown rail earmark by allocating $167 million for a 6.2-mile super-arterial corridor on Windy Hill road from Austell Road to I-75. A super-arterial takes out the stoplights to allow the road to become an expressway.
"The contention will come up, ‘oh, we need to use projects on the unconstrained list,'" Setzler said. “Well, if you look at the unconstrained list, it has a major corridor improvement for Windy Hill Road from Austell Road all the way to Cobb Parkway and the interstate.”
The argument, Setzler said, boils down to spending funds on right-of-way to add more lanes even though drivers will still be stopped by red lights or using funds on grade separation and eliminating stoplights altogether to allow for a free running expressway.
“I contend that the free running expressway concept moves passengers more effectively than adding more lanes and still dying in stop lights,” he said.
Setzler also earmarked $171.27 million for a 7.2 mile super-arterial corridor on Cobb Parkway from Cumberland Parkway to North Marietta Parkway; $229.5 million for a 6.3 mile super-arterial on Cobb Parkway from North Marietta Parkway to Kennesaw-Due West Road, along with intersection improvements to Bartow County; $120 million on the I-75 interchange at Windy Hill Road; and $72 million on expanding Roswell Road from Bridgegate Drive to Timber Ridge Road.
“This proposal reallocates $750 million from the light rail concept at Cumberland Mall to fund the kind of real traffic relief Cobb County has been waiting for,” Setzler said. “It also funds improvements to Cobb’s existing rail lines to bring passenger rail service to our historic downtowns in a financially responsible way.”
Mathews said he expects to bring some amendments for consideration by the roundtable’s self-imposed Oct. 6 deadline. But he isn’t yet ready to say what they are. None of those amendments to date include killing off the Cumberland-to-Midtown rail proposal, though, he said.
“I don’t think there are any scenarios that include killing it off,” Mathews said. “I’m not willing to kill any transit project in Cobb at this point.”
The Cumberland-to-Midtown rail line has some influential supporters, among them Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, who also sits on the roundtable.
“I think it’s important because it links Cobb in an efficient way to a significant employment sector,” Reed told the Journal on Friday. “A number of people choose to make their homes in Cobb, which is a wonderful part of the state, but many of those people, I would say that more than 45 percent of those people (work) somewhere else other than where they live, and to the extent that they can travel comfortably, get on a train and come into the heart of the city, and then leave in a comfortable efficient way, I think that will allow them to spend more time with their families, more time in Cobb County, and get out of their vehicles, so I’m supportive of the line.”
Reed said he didn’t know why the rail proposal was controversial in Cobb, with some saying they don’t want MARTA to enter the county.
“I think first of all there’s a misnomer to say you’re going to have MARTA in Cobb,” Reed said. “It’s a line. So the decision about who is going to operate the line has not been made, certainly to my knowledge. But you know, I leave folks in local politics to their local politics. … I think that at the end of the day it will be one of those things that might have some give and take right now, but in 10 years, 20 years and 30 years, I think people will see that it’s the right decision.”
Reed said the goal is to get to Town Center, although funding for that leg of the line is not included in the 10-year tax.
“The ultimate goal, really, is to link the most far reaches of Cobb to the employment sectors. I think it’s going to be important that people that are able to continue to live where they want and to get to work and to get back home, so I think it actually strengthens Cobb quite a bit. But of course I don’t live in Cobb, so I’m just respecting the local politics. As an outsider, I believe that the line is a good line with the belief that at the end of the day it’s going to end at Town Center. But you’ve got to get this first part built so you can have continued investment, so I think that it’s the right thing to do.”
Like Mathews, Reed is convinced federal funding will come through to pay for the second leg of the line from Cumberland to Acworth.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that we’ll get it,” Reed said. “I have no doubt that we’ll get the line built to Town Center. That’s why I supported the project.”
Mathews said passage of the TSPLOST to relieve traffic congestion is critical to the region’s future.
“It’s really, really needed in the region. It’s a cryin’ shame that it’s going through the process right now that it’s going through,” Mathews said. “It’s very frustrating to have our legislators who voted for it, specifically Ed who voted for it, to be the one out championing being against it.”
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Ed Setzler just lost my vote.
Light Rail is an important infrastructure project that actually does create REAL jobs and stimulates an actual manufacturing economy and creates a better business climate.
Mr. Setzler's kind of reactionary rabble-rousing anti-business rhetoric is more suitable for the status quo stick in the mud Democrats than the Pro-Business Repubs.
I am not sure how mr. Seztler got elected to represent us when he is so anti-Business.
You'll get your specifics in due course. For now, let's just get this nonsensical light rail thing killed. Once that is done, I'll tell you what the alternative is...and you will be amazed. (No tax money needed. More miles. To where WE want to go. Not them.) This alternative IS real, and right. You'll see.
Absolutely 100% correct!!!
Why do you think Mayor Reed is so gracious in his comments about the Arts Center to Cumberland line being a local issue?
I'll tell you why. He doesn't want the Atlanta Beltline project to be held up to scrutiny of other jurisdictions and revealed as a project that has zero, zilch, nada, bumpkus, benefit to the regional transit system.
If the Arts Center to Cumberland light rail stays on the list and the Beltline likewise remains on the list he will, in fact, Have his cake and be able to eat it too!!!
And if the Cobb project is taken off the list, what does he care? He will still in all liklihood get his Beltline!!
I'll trade you a Lee and a Mathews, for one Reed!!! Their combined negotiating skills don't even come close to his.
The real gall stone is that Mayor Reed can use his "share" of the money to build a circle of track downtown that does absolutely nothing for REGIONAL transportation...
while you pay to build his MARTA in northwest Fulton with Cobb's share of the money
The ONLY thing you have right is that Arts Center to Cumberland light rail is a very expensive joke being perpetrated on the citizens of Cobb County.
As far as Lee and Mathews (a.k.a. Dumb and Dumber) are concerned. They are grasping at any technicality to justify their deal with Kasim Reed and MARTA now that their abject stupidity has been revealed.
As far as getting Todd Long to accept an alternative transit project from Cobb County. If it is a legitimate light rail project that cost the same or less than the one on the table now and contributes to regional transit connectivity, I think it is at least worth asking.
By the way Mayor Mathews, being on the unconstrained list with an assigned project number is not a prerequisite for a project to be considered. Read the Final Recommended Criteria for the Atlanta 10-County Special Tax District adopted 12/17/10 by the TIA Roundtable.
And since when did politicians start ASKING bureaucrats for permission on anything? Something's wrong with that picture for sure.
Come on Tim and Mark at least have to cahunas to ask. All he can say is no and then you can blame HIM. Besides, I am sure the Cumberland CID and the Cobb Chamber will work behind the scenes to make sure he says no.
And it pretty obvious that all Kasim Reed and MARTA care about is getting a rail line connection from Cumberland to downtown Atlanta constructed with Cobb taxpayer dollars.
As others have pointed out in previous posts. The TSPLOST, which was intended as a multi-jurisdictional financing tool to address regional transportation issues in the Metro Atlanta area, has been hijacked by opportunistic political and business interests.
It has been perverted into a "slush fund" for pet projects that contribute little if anything to regional transportation connectivity.
I think I will attend the charade advertised as a "forum" tomorrow evening. If for nothing else, just for the entertainment value!!
you offer no solutions. You post costs, but do not compare them against and alternative, (such as one mile of light rail to the Arts center.Please add some facts that would help to change a person's mind..
North Cobb--
So, you never changed your mind in your life after time passed and you learned more???
Norepresentation-
How do you know Stezler's numbers are made up?? Would you care to post the real numv=bers , if you know them , rather than just telling us he made them up??
rjsnh-
I am not at all surprised on your position considering all the other posts you have on MDJ.
If you spent some time to study the Portland light rail system, you will find that a group performs volunteer work to keep the costs down. Otherwise, it is a heavy money loser. After you get the names of the Cobb/Fulton volunteers for light rail here, please post their numbers and names and then we can evaluate the true cost and perhaos find that more than a handful of people will benefit. I doubt it..
Light rail is suitable for center-urban applications, not for inter-urban or suburban-to-urban schemes, especially when traversing already sprawl-developed communities.
Light rail is cute. But it is not economic. Light rail built on the wrong route, such as the Cumberland-midtown line, is a joke.
More pavement is not the answer. Been there, done that. Didn't work. Mostly because of crappy design.
Better transit systems are the solution, but light rail is not what we need for Cobb. Better solutions DO exist.
The biggest problem with Mr. Setzler's rail idea is cost: $106.5million won't scratch the surface for integrating commuter service to.....Downtown Only. The real number is somewhere between $400million and $500million, with a major portion of this being the construction of 3 bridges, one of which must be nearly 1.3 miles long. And even then, this is an operational nightmare.
Commuter service on what was once freight (heavy) rail lines works in the Northeast, and to some extent in Chicago because little, if any freight is carried on these lines now. CSX, on the other hand moves upwards of 5000 railcars per day on the W&A line in Cobb. Adding commuter service just won't work on such heavily used track...guaranteed. And even then, the only logical stop south of Cobb is Downtown. Not a good choice...especially after construction of a what $50 million "multi-modal" station?
As for Kasim Reed's ideas...well...what can I say. He's so far off base in his belief in federal funds coming to the rescue. When?...in 20 or 30 years ?? Since when did Kasim Reed give a dang about trains to Town Center. HOGWASH !! Reed ONLY wants Cobb dollars for downtown Atlanta development. End of story.
And then we have the hub-and-spoke problem. Please people. Wake up! These politicians are totally wrong in their approach. But foolishly taxing and spending is all they know. This is how they buy votes and power...and fail to solve problems...every time.
Setzler voted to push the TSPLOST and then when Perdue came back with a no opt out for counties he voted for it AGAIN. Now that he isn't getting what he wants he starts opposing it and trying to undermine everyone's efforts to do the job that HE voted into law. I don't know what Mathews down in Kennesaw and Chairman Lee have up their sleeves but this guy is a piece of work. He seems to pull numbers out of the air even when the experts give him hard numbers. He needs to listen and represent us not push his own agenda. As for the light rail I'm not sure if I am for it or against it. I'm still trying to digest the facts not made up numbers by Setzler. The rail will take so long (ten years)to take care of a problem we need taken care of NOW. However it surely is needed throughout the whole region to include Cobb. We don't want to look around in 10 years and wish we had done it. I'm simply gathering facts so I can be educated when it's time for me to vote.
I wish my representative (Ed) would keep his personal opinions to himself and just give me facts. I guess you can tell I'm sick of that guy and I know who I will vote for next time he runs; the other candidate.
Rep. Setzler was for it before he was against it.--
Tell us what you mean Mike H.
My guess is most folks who oppose light rail have never actually experienced it. Portland, Oregon, for example has proven this transportation alternative is a popular alternative to roads. Once you have experienced light rail your only thought will be why didn't we go this route sooner. --
And most people have not stuck their arm in a meat grinder either...but they don't need to actually do it to realize that it is a REALLY stupid thing to do on purpose.
I am going to guess that your experience with rail in Portland was as a visitor...not as someone who was being asked to use it on a daily basis or pay more in taxes to cover the outrageous costs of the system that is used by only a few people. That said, I am also going to guess that you rarely, if ever, use the CCT transit system in Cobb...perhaps because the audi in your driveway is more cool.
I appreciate your efforts to bring sanity and usefulness to the TSPLOST table. We need more people like you representing us in Cobb County
10 years for rail to get to Cumberland. Probably 10 more to get to Town Center. I don't think Cobb wait that long.
I wish they'd stop saying we're all racists because we don't want Marta. Yes, we do fear crime being brought into the county by Marta. However it's not the riders we fear, but instead the cronies who run it.
Jack and Jill would be a better choice.
Just ask the MULE PROCURER.
Tim Lee wants to disqualify (1) the east west line to perimeter, (2) Ed Setzlers " Commuter Rail" on the existing tracks (3) the "high rail" that LaBarge and others talk about.
Why throw out all these choices even before the study starts? Is the Cobb DOT study really an "Analysis"? Is it all pre cooked, and pre decided?
If Tim and Mark don't fix this we have no alternative but to vote down the whole MARTA TSPLOST and start over.