CAA: GA News, "Georgia Manager Says $2.5M Legislative Grant is 'A Good Start'"

["Stephen Irwin" <Stephen.Irwin@pmail.net>]

Friday, April 14, 2000

GEORGIA MANAGER SAYS $2.5M LEGISLATIVE GRANT IS ‘A GOOD START’
GA News


ATLANTA, Georgia — Legislators here have approved a $2.5 million grant for
GA airports, as recommended by Governor Roy Barnes. It continues an upward
funding trend for the state’s aviation assets.

Edward Ratigan, Georgia DOT’s aviation programs manager, said the grant’s
approval is a sign that legislators are beginning to comprehend the economic
importance of the state’s aviation infrastructure, and that current funding
levels have been inadequate.

“We’ve done pavement studies, we’ve done the system plan, we’ve done the
five -year capital improvement plan, and we’ve demonstrated the need,”
Ratigan said.

$1.5 million of the $2.5 million grant is earmarked for pavement-maintenance
projects. The remaining $1 million will go for high-priority airport
projects. Ratigan was reluctant to discuss potential projects until the
legislation is signed into law, which was expected earlier this month. Once
the appropriation is approved, airport sponsors will be invited to submit
project proposals.

Last year the state raised its aviation budget from $2.2 million to $3.2
million. It was the first increase in 20 years. The budget covers the state’
s share of federal, state and local airport-improvement projects. But even
with the increase, Georgia faces a shortfall, according to Ratigan.

“I think it’s a good start,” he said. “It’s definitely a very positive step.
Our pavement study shows a need for $7 million for maintenance, annually. We
may be moving toward that, and this is not a bad way to do it, by
incrementally increasing our budget.”

Two years ago, then-governor Zell Miller approved a $35 million supplemental
appropriation for Georgia’s GA airports. That money has now found its way
into the pipeline.

“This is going to be our big construction season coming up,” Ratigan said.
“We’ve done a tremendous amount of planning and environmental work and
design, and we’ll be working on 50% of the projects (that have been funded
the supplemental appropriation) this season. It seemed slow in developing,
but we had a lot of work to do. We continue to stress maintenance; we’re
still spending about 70% on pavement maintenance. Our priorities rest with
primary runways, primary taxiways and aprons. It’s a big catchup game.”

In addition to funding for airport projects, the aviation programs division
also received a budget increase for its office, enabling it to fill two
positions that had remained vacant for about two years — including an
airport engineer. Carol Comer is now the aviation development engineer. Tom
Carr, the aviation planner, and Rodney Crossley, who oversees construction,
round out the staff.

“With an airport engineer, we’re able to be more responsive to these
projects,” Ratigan said. “Things are picking up. We’re really feeling good
about what’s happening these days.”


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