Committee questions truck parking, GRIP corridor progress and local roundabout funding options

House members used the GDOT briefing to press the agency on freight and local traffic problems beyond express lanes. Lawmakers said truck drivers lack safe, legal places to park and that informal parking on ramps or shoulders is creating hazards. Janine Miller told the committee that about 94% of truck parking is private and only about 6% is provided by GDOT; the agency is developing projects to add truck parking at rest areas and is exploring public‑private partnerships and federal grant applications.

On truck lanes from I‑16 to I‑75, GDOT staff said the project remains in engineering, with right‑of‑way acquisition scheduled in 2028 and procurement estimated for 2029 pending environmental approval. Representative Powell and others urged attention to the GRIP (rural four‑lane) network; staff said limited traffic and environmental issues have pushed some GRIP segments far into the out years, and that a 10‑year budgeting approach is being developed.

On local safety projects and roundabouts, members asked whether the infrastructure bank could be used to support municipalities that cannot afford roundabout designs. Miller said roundabouts are effective for safety in appropriate locations and can qualify for federal programs; the infrastructure bank and other safety funds could be candidates to move prioritized local projects forward.

Committee members asked for additional detail and schedules; GDOT committed to provide follow‑up information and to work with local governments on project pipelines and truck‑parking strategies.