32-2-41.4. State-wide freight and logistics implementation plan.

The director shall develop and maintain a state-wide freight and logistics implementation plan. Such plan may be included within or separate from the federal state freight plan required by 49 U.S.C. Section 70202; provided, however, that the state-wide freight and logistics implementation plan shall be updated in coordination with such federal plan.#

The state-wide freight and logistics implementation plan shall be based upon a 20 year projection and identify example project types, specific projects to be programmed, or critical corridors, taking into account the following categories for improvements:#

1. (1)

   Foundational investments that ensure the maintenance of the existing transportation system;#

2. (2)

   Catalytic investments that strategically expand the transportation system to both support economic development and improve the mobility of goods and people throughout this state; and#

3. (3)

   Innovative investments that promote industry growth and sustain existing industry use of the freight network.#

Any investment proposed within the state-wide freight and logistics implementation plan pursuant to the considerations set forth in subsection (b) of this Code section shall incorporate performance indicators that assess impact in the areas of system safety and security, system reliability, average vehicle travel time, congestion costs, and system risks.#

The state-wide freight and logistics implementation plan shall take into consideration and place an emphasis on projects and programs that improve transportation in the economic zones to be known as the:#

1. (1)

   International ocean trade zone, composed of any county which is located within 20 miles of a deep-water port;#

2. (2)

   Inland port zone, composed of any county which is located within ten miles of any inland port facility operated by the Georgia Ports Authority; and#

3. (3)

   Commercial and industrial impact zone, composed of any county which is located within five miles of a commercial or industrial warehouse or production facility that is larger than 200,000 square feet.#

By February 15 of each year, the director shall provide the House and Senate Committees on Transportation with a report on the state-wide freight and logistics implementation plan, which shall include information from the previous fiscal year on the:#

1. (1)

   Budgetary proposal of state funds needed by the department to fully procure federal aid funds;#

2. (2)

   Status of the department’s program to deliver projects which add capacity to roadways through the exclusive use of state funds; and#

3. (3)

   Status of any critical projects and available funding for:#

   1. (A)

      Widening of interstates;#

   2. (B)

      Widening of noninterstate arterial roads;#

   3. (C)

      Interchange, intersection, and other operational improvements;#

   4. (D)

      Intermodal or multimodal capacity enhancements;#

   5. (E)

      Railroad crossing access and safety improvements;#

   6. (F)

      Commercial motor vehicle parking and safety improvements;#

   7. (G)

      Projects located in an international ocean trade zone, an inland port zone, or a commercial and industrial impact zone as described in subsection (d) of this Code section; and#

   8. (H)

      Projects of significant economic impact.#