Frequently Asked Questions

Click on 'Q' to see the answer.  Click on 'A' to return to question.

Federal Funding:

Q1. How much federal highway money does Georgia get per year?

Q2. How does a local government go about getting federal highway money?

Q3. Who pays the required match?

Q4. What can federal highway money be used for other than highways?

Q5. Where can I obtain a list of proposed transportation projects for my area?

Planning:

Q6. If I know of a needed transportation improvement who do I contact?

Q7. Who do I contact about bicycle route information?

Q8. Who can tell me about traffic counts(number of vehicles on the road)?

Q9. Who can provide me with transportation statistical data?

Q10. Who can provide me with information concerning Transportation Enhancement Projects (projects such as pedestrian/bike trails, landscaping, historic preservation, etc.)?

Maps:

Q11. How do I get a highway map?

Q12. What other kinds of maps does GaDOT produce?

Safety:

Q13. How do I go about requesting a traffic signal or stop sign?

Permits:

Q14. Do I need a special permit for my truck or large vehicle and, if so, how do I get it?

Q15. Where do I get information about trucking regulations?

Maintenance:

Q16. How do I get a pot hole fixed?

Q17. How do I report a maintenance problem?

Q18. What is Adopt-A-Highway or Peachy Clean?

Personnel:

Q19. How do I apply for a job at GaDOT?

Q20. How do I find out what jobs are available?

Communications:

Q21. I'd like to have a speaker for my up coming civic group meeting. How would I request someone from GaDOT?

Q22. Who can I talk to about arranging a newspaper, television or radio interview with a GaDOT official?

Right-of-Way:

Q23. How do I get an access permit for my property along a state route?

Construction:

Q24. What major roads are under construction?

Q25. How do I comment about a problem on a project under construction?

Q26. Why does GaDOT always seem to be rebuilding the roads?

Q27 Why does GaDOT always seem to work in traffic at the worst time?

Q28. How do I get information about projects that might interfere with my travel plans?

Miscellaneous:

Q29. Who do I contact about driver's license?

Q30. Who do I contact concerning car tags and title?

Q31. How are projects selected?

Q32. What is the "Gas Tax" and why is it important to the Georgia GaDOT?

Q33. How many people are employed with the GaDOT?

Q34. What are the street and postal address of all the GaDOT District Offices?

Georgia Tollway Questions:

Q35. This is a link to the Georgia Tollway Authority home page. All questions for cruise cards etc. are directed here.

Answers :

A1. 1992-$479.8M, 1993-$473.1M, 1994-$518.9M, 1995-$523.0M, 1996-$526.8M, 1997-$625M, 1998-$605M, 1999-$632M.  These numbers reflect the actual federal amounts allowed to be spent which is referred to as federal obligation authority. 

A2. Any area that has a contiguous population of 50,000 or more should submit their project needs to their local Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The typical policy group for this organization is composed of the local county and city officials, transportation providers such as GaDOT, and citizen members. The policy group oversees the development and updates a three-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP prioritizes projects that will be developed and constructed with funding that has been assigned to them by the GaDOT. The final decision is then forwarded by the Department to the Governor's office for his approval.

The GaDOT is charged with the responsibility of developing the prioritization of projects that will be developed and constructed in areas less than 50,000 in population. The GaDOT does this in cooperation with county and city officials, our Family of Partners which includes organizations representing transportation operations (rail, ports, bikeways, public transit, aviation and highways), their employees, environmental and conservation groups, as well as interested citizens. Review and input is received through numerous annual regional forums, as well as a yearly meeting with each county.

A3. Federal funds usually require a leveraging match of state or local funds ranging from 80% to 90%. On all projects let to contract by the GaDOT, the required match is paid for by the GaDOT. An exception to this would be a special request by a local government asking GaDOT to take bids on and let a project to contract which would normally be let by them.

A4. Following is a list of some of the more common non-roadway uses of federal highway money:

• Intercity Commuter rail parallel to full access-controlled National Highway System highways;
• Safety Rest Areas;
• Fringe & corridor parking facilities;
• Carpool/vanpool;
• Bicycle & walkways serving transportation related purposes;
• Wetland banks;
• Control & removal of outdoor advertisement;
• Bridge painting;
• Landscaping along highways;
• Historic preservation or rehabilitation of facilities with a link to transportation;
• Preservation of abandoned railroad corridors;
• Fencing;
• Railroad crossing;
• Roadway lighting; and
• Truck weigh station

A5. See our Construction Work Program web page for proposed planned projects in your county for the next 6 years or call the GaDOT State Programming Engineer at 404-656-5320.

A6. Write a letter to your local District Engineer for your county outlining reasons for the suggested improvement. Be sure to include your phone number so you can be contacted if there are any follow-up questions.

A7. Call the State Bicycle Co-ordinator at 404-657-6692 for any bicycle-related information.

A8. Call the Office of Transportation Data at 770-986-1364 or 404-656-5336 or email . Please give as specific a location as possible (name of county, road name, route number and name of closest intersection.)

A9. Call the Georgia DOT's Office of Transportation Data at 770-986-1364.

A10. Call the GaDOT's Statewide Planning Bureau at 404-656-5411. Link to Office of Planning's TEA page.

A11. See our Map Sales web page for prices and further details.

A12. See our Map Sales web page for prices and further details.

A13. Call your local city or county government representative or local elected official to request a signal or stop sign. If the location is on a state route, the local government will apply for a permit to the GaDOT District Office serving the area in question. An authorization study based on national guidelines will be performed. If the study indicates a stopping device is needed, then a more detailed study to establish priority for installation will be carried out. The results of the study are furnished to the requesting local government.

A14. Special hauling permits for oversize vehicles may be obtained by calling toll free 1-800-570-5428, Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:45. Wire Room operations are open 30 minutes beyond closing time, they may be contacted by calling 1-888-409-7548. The office is closed Weekends and Holidays. Additional information concerning permitted loads may be obtained by calling toll free to the Customer Service Department - 1-888-262-8306.

A15. Trucking enforcement issues may be addressed by calling 404-635-8167. For questions concerning Georgia's requirements for Motor Carrier Fuel Tax Stickers, call the Department of Revenue at 404-656-4055. IRP tag regulations are also regulated by the Department of Revenue, 404-651-6206. Driver's license and Amber/Escort Light permits are issued by the Georgia State Patrol at 404-624-7433. The Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates ICC Authority, Log Book Requirements, Truck Safety & Hazardous Material Permits, they may be contacted at 404-559-6600.

A16. Remember that there are 3 owners and operators of highways in Georgia: state, city and county. The GaDOT is responsible only for state highways (these are routes with Interstate, U.S. or Georgia route numbers.) Call your DOT Area Office or the headquarters office in Atlanta at 404-656-5314. Please give as specific location as possible and the nature of the problem.

A17. Call the GaDOT Area Office in your vicinity or the headquarters office in Atlanta at 404-656-5314. Please give as specific location as possible and the nature of the problem.

A18. Adopt-A-Highway is a program for groups to adopt a one to three-mile portion of a state highway to do litter pick-up for a two-year period. A sign is posted on either side of the highway with the group's name. Groups receive trash bags, hats, vest and training. Call 404-656-5267 for more information.

A19. You can get an application form and job listing for all publicly-announced State Government job openings at the Georgia Merit System web site: Georgia Merit System

A20. See A19 above.

A21. The GaDOT has a Speakers Bureau. Just call 404-656-5267 to request a speaker for a transportation-related topic. If you know the Field District you are located in, you may call them at:

District 1	770-718-3924
District 2	912-552-4656
District 3	706-646-6257
District 4	912-391-6852
District 5	912-530-4075
District 6	770-387-4081
District 7	770-986-2801

A22. Call the GaDOT's Office of Communications at 404-656-5267 to request an interview for a transportation-related topic.

A23. Call the Access Permit section at your local GaDOT District Office or the GaDOT Headquarters Right-of-Way Office in Atlanta at 404-656-5372.

A24. Call your local GaDOT District Construction Office (see below) or the GaDOT Headquarters Construction Office in Atlanta at 404-656-5306.

District 1 770-532-5528

District 2 912-552-4603

District 3 706-646-1002

District 4 912-386-3304

District 5 912-427-5733

District 6 770-387-3609

District 7 770-986-1030

A25. See A24 above.

A26. Growth! As a southern sunbelt state, Georgia has one of the fastest growth rates in the nation. To prevent gridlock, the GaDOT must continue to plan and construct transportation facilities that will provide the citizens of the state the mobility needed to support economic development, environmental sensitivity and an improved quality of life for all.

A27. GaDOT tries to limit construction during peak hours, but sometimes it is un-avoidable. Delays during normal hours may have caused the contractor to be in the middle of a work activity that must be finished for safety reasons.

A28. Call the GaDOT's Traffic Management Center toll free 1-800-722-6617 or 404-635-6800. If you have a cellular phone, call *DOT which is a free call. The GaDOT's Office of Communications 404-656-5267, also can provide a quarterly report on construction.

A29. For information on Georgia driver's licenses, please contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services at (678) 413-8400. www.dds.ga.gov/drivers/index.aspx

A30. For tags and title information please contact the Georgia Department of Revenue at (404) 675-6135. www.dmvs.ga.gov/motor/

A31. Click here to go to answer.

A32. Click here to go to answer.

A33. Approximately 6000.

A34.

District 1

District 2

District 3

District 4

District 5

District 6

District 7