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Rome Transit Department assured of stimulus funds
by Diane Wagner

 

The Rome Transit Department has been assured of another $425,000 in federal stimulus package funding, director Kathy Shealy told members of the city’s traffic and transit committee Tuesday.

 

Shealy said the money will pay 100 percent of the cost of a new bus for the system’s main line service. Annual grants to the department typically require a local match of 5 percent to 10 percent.

 

The purchase is slated to be added to the official Transportation Improvement Program document during the transportation policy committee’s Thursday meeting. The TPC meets at 10:30 a.m. in City Hall, 601 Broad St.

 

The transit department received $931,035 in the first round of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act awards, made in April.

 

Also on Tuesday, Public Services Director Kirk Milam said he has submitted a permit renewal application for the red-light cameras at Turner McCall Boulevard and Hicks Drive. An application for the cameras at Martha Berry Boulevard and Veterans Memorial Highway is also in the works.

 

A 2008 bill sponsored by state Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, sets “life-safety” standards for operating the cameras that photograph drivers running a red light. The Georgia Department of Transportation has charge of the permitting.

 

“We have mandated renewals by the end of the year, and after that we’ll be on a 3-year cycle,” Milam said.

The application fees are $450 each.

 

Committee members also heard an update on efforts to prevent left turns from Turner McCall Boulevard into Riverbend Center.

 

Public Works Director Jamie McCord said he receives numerous complaints about drivers blocking northbound traffic as they are waiting for clearance, and more visible signs have been posted.