Georgia Transportation Bill Just the First Step

Some in the state say the whole plan could crumble unless voters get behind the transportation projects the new bill seeks to create. And they'll also have to put their money behind those plans.

"Assuming that Gov. Sonny Perdue signs the bill he worked to create - he hasn't said when, but after a final review - House Bill 277 could help untangle some of the worst traffic in America.

"It's the biggest capital investment in the last 50 years in the state of Georgia," said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. He said the bill could transform streets, sidewalks and mass transit from southwest Atlanta to Buckhead and beyond.

The bill would divide the state into 12 transportation districts. In each, a "roundtable" of mayors and county commissioners would work with an appointee of the governor to draw up a list of projects in the region. In 2012 the projects would go before the region's voters, who would approve the list and the 1 percent sales tax to pay for them - or not."