Georgia’s economy and population continue to surge, and GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry told the GMA Board of Directors that the state’s infrastructure must keep pace. Speaking at the board’s Oct. 10 meeting in Atlanta, he outlined recent funding wins, major projects, and a call for continued city–state collaboration.
Georgia’s Growth Brings Opportunity and Strain
McMurry highlighted Georgia’s 12th consecutive year as Site Selection’s “Top State to Do Business,” crediting that success to collaboration and investment in infrastructure. Over the past year, the state added 429 new or expanded facilities, representing $20 billion in investment and 27,000 private-sector jobs, much of it outside metro Atlanta.
That growth, he said, creates new pressure on the transportation network. Freight tonnage on Georgia’s highways is projected to double within 25 years, while population growth will add nearly two million residents by 2050. “Transportation is foundational to economic development,” McMurry said. “Keeping up with that growth is both our biggest challenge and our biggest opportunity.”
Last year, Gov. Brian Kemp and the General Assembly added $1 billion in state general funds to GDOT’s budget, including $500 million for freight improvements and $200 million for maintenance; critical for hurricane cleanup and to accelerate 23 projects by a combined 43 project-years.
Major Projects Underway
McMurry outlined several initiatives reshaping Georgia’s road network:
- I-16/I-75 Interchange (Macon): Nearing completion, with one final $145 million phase remaining.
- I-285 Westside Rebuild (Atlanta): A three-year project. “The pavement’s outlived its life,” McMurry said.
- I-285 East Interchange (DeKalb Co.): An $800 million upgrade to ease freight congestion.
- I-285/I-20 West Interchange (Cobb Co.): A $1 billion modernization of a key bottleneck.
- SR 400 Express Lanes (N. Fulton Co./Forsyth Co.): A $10-billion expansion, Georgia’s largest project, combining public and private investment with transit access.
Partnership, Not Distance
A consistent theme was partnership. McMurry urged city leaders to stay plugged in so local priorities rise within GDOT’s planning:
- Know your State Transportation Board member. “They’re the bridge between your community and the Department.”
- Work your district. Stay in touch with district engineers and area managers for quick updates. Often the fastest path for updates and fixes.
- Lean into your MPO. For metro areas, representation in Metropolitan Planning Organizations is essential for federal dollars: “You have to elbow your way in sometimes.”
- Mind the basics. Maintain audit compliance and file FY2026 LMIG applications early (open now through February) to speed disbursements. “Help me help you,” he said.
Questions from the Board
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, GMA’s Transportation Policy Committee chair, praised McMurry as “a great partner” who understands city concerns, recalling his quick outreach after the Mount Vernon Highway bridge collapse.
Asked by Paul how cities can shape GDOT plans, McMurry said the system works best when locals stay engaged. “Projects can start anywhere. You live the challenges daily. Stay vocal, stay involved, and work through your district staff and your board member.”
Paul noted that the construction workforce shortage is driving up costs. McMurry highlighted several efforts to expand the pipeline:
- Technical College System of Georgia: Civil-engineering technician programs.
- Georgia Highway Contractors Association: Heavy-equipment certification in 50+ high schools using Caterpillar simulators that often lead to job offers.
- Atlanta Regional Commission: Regional coordination of workforce training.
“There’s plenty of work,” McMurry said, “but we have to keep investing in young people so they want to come and do this hard work.”
Paul closed by commending McMurry’s leadership: “GDOT has one rule: if it costs more money or delays the project, the answer’s no. Everything else gets considered. That’s good leadership.”
Funding the Future
McMurry acknowledged that long-term funding remains a challenge. Improved fuel efficiency, not just electric vehicles, is eroding gas-tax revenue. The state has piloted mileage-based user fees, though collection is complex. He pointed to Utah’s model, which dedicates excess general-fund revenue to transportation, as one worth studying.
He noted that at the federal level, transportation remains one of the few truly bipartisan issues in Washington. But he cautioned that not all federal money is worth pursuing: “Unless you’re getting at least $10 million, the juice may not be worth the squeeze,” explaining that smaller grants often come with heavy administrative burdens.
Despite those challenges, McMurry said Georgia’s ability to leverage public and private investment shows what’s possible when partners align. “We’re not going backward,” he said. “We’ve got to keep working together to make sure Georgia stays on the move.”