Georgia Injury Law Blog
Transportation safety advocates have been hailing the infrastructure bill that allocates billions in spending on upgrading infrastructure. Georgia could be an especially lucky beneficiary of that funding.
The infrastructure bill recently signed by President Joe Biden will earmark a staggering $1 trillion for infrastructure funding across the country. Billions of dollars of those funds are on their way to Georgia where many bridges, roads, and highways will benefit from upgrades and repairs. The state has several bridges and highways that have been deemed dangerous or in “poor” condition by experts. At least 374 bridges in the state are “structurally deficient.” Additionally, more than 2, 000 miles of roads across Georgia are categorized as “poor.” These roads and bridges will benefit from the funding and receive necessary repairs from pot holes, to crumbling pavement and unstable foundations.
Close to 9 billion dollars in funding will be directed to defective highways and roads in the state. An additional $225 million will be allocated for conducting repairs to bridges. Roads in the metro Atlanta region are likely to benefit from repairs as a result of the funding. Mass transit in Georgia will also benefit as a result of the funds. The bill includes more than 1.4 billion dollars to be spent over the next five years on public transport systems in Georgia. Efforts to expand public transportation have long been attempted in the Atlanta area. The additional funding may help get overdue improvements finally implemented. Expansion of mass transit and public transport services will ease congestion in the metro Atlanta region and other areas, and make the roads safer for all commuters to use. Mass transit is safer and more convenient than driving for many Atlanta residents, and expansion will definitely be welcome
The signing of the bill comes at an opportune or timely time for Georgia which is seeing high increases in the number of accidents occurring on roadways and highways across the state. It’s clear that many of our roads could benefit from upgrades and repairs that would make them safe to use for all citizens. Many of the bridges that have been deemed to be structurally deficient see hundreds of crossings every day.
This year’s Thanksgiving holiday was deadly with more than 17 people dying in accidents across Georgia during the holiday weekend. Final accident and fatality estimates for the Thanksgiving holiday are likely to be equal to or higher than then 24 traffic accident deaths that were recorded during the same time last year. Speeding as a factor in accidents is on the rise across the state. Infrastructure upgrades would go a long way in lowering pressure on our traffic system, and keeping motorists safer.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a car accident in the metro Atlanta region or anywhere in Georgia, talk to an Atlanta car accident attorney at the Katz Personal Injury Lawyers and determine if you have legal rights to a claim for damages for your losses. You may qualify for damages that include medical costs, lost income, lowered earning capacity and other types for damages. Talk to a lawyer at our firm, and discuss your case.