Carl Camon’s Commitment To Transportation

The transportation needs of Georgians are constantly changing, due to the tremendous growth that our state has experience over the past decade. Our vision encompasses an immediate plan of action to ensure that our roads are safe, and our bridges are stable and secure. Our state’s current transportation infrastructure also needs immediate attention. Immediate infrastructure improvements would help to support current and future requirements of the freight industry that moves freight within and through Georgia. Georgia’s population has increased by nearly 900,000 people, in the past five years and this increase mandates a new vision for passenger transportation in Georgia. As Governor, I will explore sincere possibilities for a cost effective high-speed rail system in Georgia. The Georgia Senate Transportation Committee has already unanimously approved a resolution, which supports a high-speed rail system, which would connect Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, in Atlanta, Georgia, with Chattanooga Municipal Airport, in Tennessee. The committee’s effort should be applauded, but we cannot stop there. As Governor, I will support feasibility studies concerning the implementation of high-speed rail throughout Georgia. High-speed rail is an investment in the future, and it will serve as an indicator that Georgia is serious about its efforts to increase passenger safety, relieve highway congestion, reduce our dependency on foreign oil, and reduce carbon emissions. These bold new approaches to providing the best transportation services would also stimulate economic growth of our state. It would afford businesses the opportunity to hire the best and brightest minds in Georgia, and it will afford those bright minds the opportunity to live where they choose and commute to work. Our administration will be committed to improving transportation in Georgia.

Carl’s Plan To Reform Transportation In Georgia

1. Explore possibilities of creating a high-speed rail system in critical regions of our state first, then explore possibilities of a statewide system.

2. Ensure the protection and restoration of the Local Assistance Road Program (LARP) Funding to support the transportation infrastructure needs of cities and counties.

3. Establish regional representation within the Georgia Department of Transportation, in an effort to better understand the transportation needs of all Georgians.

4. Support the transformation of state owned vehicles to a more energy efficient fleet, via electric power, and natural gas, etc.

5. Support the installation of electric power stations along interstate routes, to encourage the use of more energy efficient vehicles and reduce harmful emissions.

6. Support regional transit systems, which provide access to transportation to Georgians without automobiles and it also will help to alleviate congestion in some of Georgia’s larger cities.

7. Support the elimination of an insurance company’s ability to charge higher car insurance rates based solely on a poor credit rating.

8. Immediately direct funds obtained from the American Recovery and Investment act to regions of the state with the greatest transportation needs, to include rural areas of Georgia.

9. Increase video surveillance on state and interstate highways; in an effort to reduce crime and facilitate effective traffic flow.

10. Ensure the security of Georgia’s Ports and support efforts to expand capabilities to receive greater amounts of products, therefore creating new jobs and increasing tax revenues for Georgia.