July 28, 2008
ALPHARETTA -- Appen Newspapers caught up with Brandon Beach after he spent the day at the Capitol to hear what he had to say about his election to the State Transportation Board.
"I think that GRTA [transportation board] was a great training ground. I've been involved in the TIP and the transportation planning for the last four years," Beach said.
As chairman of GRTA's land development committee, he saw all DRIs (Developments of Regional Interest) for the region as that agency also weighs in on those types of projects' value to the region.
"I'm convinced that there is a direct correlation with land use and transportation," Beach said.
"As it gets "harder and harder to get transportation dollars, one of the ways to affect mobility is to develop smarter," he said.
The state hired McKinsey & Co. to prepare a business case for bringing all state transportation agencies together and looking at what proejcts need to be done.
"I think they will come back and say 'these things will need to be done.' We'll have to see if the funding is available to do those. If not, then we are going to have to look at different venues of funding, whether public-private initiatives, concessions, tolls or a combination of those things," he said.
Beach was elected by state representatives and senators who represent even a portion of the Sixth Congressional District.
"I seve the legislators from the Sixth Congressional District and their constituents," he said.
Even though the State Transportation Board makes statewide decisions and is a state review board, Beach said he will look out for the needs of his district.
The Sixth Congressional District is one of the smallest geographically speaking, yet it has Interstate 285, I-75, I-575 and Ga. 400 within it. He said it is expensive to make improvements to these types of roadways.
"But the flip side is those roads are why we are so successful," Beach said. "The Sixth District is an economic engine for the state of Georgia. I will be looking out for the state's needs, but I will be making sure I take care of the Sixth District."
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