Mayor Releases Results of Transportation Survey

A survey conducted by Dacula indicates TSPLOST may not be looked upon favorably if heavy or light rail is included on the project list.

Wilbanks said 59 percent of respondents indicated their intent to vote no if light or heavy rail projects are on the TSPLOST referendum list.

“I’m not sure that the region is ready for any additional heavy rail,” Wilbanks wrote when releasing the survey results.

Next July, voters will be asked to approve a penny sales tax to fund a specified list of regional transportation projects. The tax, if passed, will remain in effect for 10 years. Officials are currently working to establish a list of transportation projects that will be funded if voters approve the TSPLOST referendum. Light and heavy rail, as well as other transit projects, are being considered for inclusion on the list.

Mayor Wilbanks posted his . Approximately 30 people participated in the online survey.

“Obviously, my survey isn’t comprehensive with only 30 respondents,” Wilbanks wrote. “This probably means that it is too early for this to be on most voter's radar.”

Wilbanks said the results show a need for an extensive education program and for voters to see the project list well before the referendum date.

The survey indicated 41 percent of respondents are likely to vote against TSPLOST based on current information. Another 41 percent indicated a need for additional information.

The survey also showed the inclusion of local projects could result in a more favorable opinion by voters. According to Wilbanks, 67 percent of respondents said they would be likely to vote for TSPLOST if local projects were included on the list. Currently, the only Dacula area project being considered for the list is the extension of Sugarloaf Parkway from Highway 316 to Highway 20. However, the city stands to receive some funding for local projects.

“The survey shows that respondents like the 15 percent that potentially comes to local governments,” Wilbanks explained. “For Dacula that would amount to about $2 million over a 10 year period-- about the same amount the city would receive over a regular SPLOST period of four or five years.”

The city currently uses most of its regular SPLOST for transportation improvement projects.

Though the outcome of the July 2012 TSPLOST vote is uncertain, Mayor Wilbanks has an idea about what the future holds for the area in terms of transportation: “Future growth, less gasoline taxes because of alternate fuels and better mileage rates, additional toll roads, bus services, more people and yes, sometime, heavy/light transit. Whatever the future brings, remember there isn’t a free transportation lunch to be had anywhere.”