Georgia May Walk Away From Toll Roads

"The program, which invites private companies to invest in public toll roads, includes the I-75 project to put truck toll lanes and HOV toll lanes on I-75 and I-575 in Cobb and Cherokee counties, which is under a $38.5 million development contract with Bechtel Infrastructure and other companies. Other projects under consideration include expanding Ga. 400, I-285's western wall, and eastern I-20."

"Commissioner Gena Abraham stressed that she did not yet have a complete picture of the toll road program and its finances and did not know whether she would ask the board to change the project roster at all. But all options will be on the table, she said, once she has a team in place that can hold its own when negotiating against global corporations and more staff moving the program forward."

"The public-private toll road program had long been under criticism from several fronts. Since the state first passed the law allowing the projects, one project went down in flames due to public outrage over tolling lanes that were already free, others have languished with no movement for months or years, and the only one under an initial contract, the I-75 project, has ballooned in cost and has been threatened with lawsuits from interest groups. None is under construction, or even close."