Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Federal Funding
How does a local government go about getting federal highway money?
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.
Who pays the required match?
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.
What can federal highway money be used for other than highways?
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
Where can I obtain a list of proposed transportation projects for my area?
See our Construction Work Program web page for proposed planned projects in your county for the next 6 years.
Planning
If I know of a needed transportation improvement who do I contact?
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.
Who do I contact about bicycle route information?
Contact the State Bicycle Coordinator at bikeped@dot.ga.gov or 404-631-1982 for any bicycle-related information.
Who can tell me about traffic counts(number of vehicles on the road)?
Call the Office of Transportation Data at 770-986-1364 or visit the Traffic Counts web page. You can also send an email Customer Service . Please give as specific a location as possible (name of county, road name, route number and name of closest intersection.)
Who can provide me with transportation statistical data?
Call the Georgia DOT's Office of Transportation Data at 770-986-1364 or visit the Statistics web site.
Who can provide me with information concerning Transportation Enhancement Projects (projects such as pedestrian/bike trails, landscaping, historic preservation, etc.)?
Call the Georgia DOT's Planning Office at 404-631-1987.
Maps
How do I get a highway map?
See our Map Products web page for prices and further details.
What other kinds of maps does GaDOT produce?
See our Map Products web page for prices and further details.
Safety
How do I go about requesting a traffic signal or stop sign?
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 Georgia DOT 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.
Permits
Do I need a special permit for my truck or large vehicle and, if so, how do I get it?
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.
Where do I get information about trucking enforcement issues and permits?
- Trucking enforcement issues, ICC Authority, Log Book Requirements, Truck Safety & Hazardous Materials Permits, and Amber Light Permits may be addressed by calling the Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) of the Department of Public Safety at 404-624-7211.
- For questions concerning IRP tag regulations and Georgia's requirements for Motor Carrier Fuel Tax Stickers, call the Department of Revenue at 404-417-6712 or 404-675-6135.
- For questions about obtaining permits for towing and wrecker services, call the Public Service Commission (PSC) at 404-463-0423 or 404-656-4501.
- For questions regarding regulation and hauling of household goods, call 404-463-4355.
- For questions about permits for passenger motor carriers like limousines or buses hauling 15 or more people, call 404-657-9196.
- For questions about Insurance / Cab Cards, call the Department of Revenue at 404-363-7149 or 404-362-6484.
- For Intrastate Permits to Haul in Georgia only, call 404-363-7149.
- For Single Trip Permits, call 1-800-570-5428.
- For Oversize Permits, call 1-888-409-2001.
- Driver's licenses are issued by the Georgia Department of Driver Services at 678-413-8400.
Maintenance
How do I get a pot hole fixed?
Remember that there are 3 owners and operators of highways in Georgia: state, city and county. The Georgia DOT is responsible only for state highways (these are routes with Interstate, U.S. or Georgia route numbers.) Call your Georgia DOT District Office. Please give as specific location as possible and the nature of the problem.
Field Districts
How do I report a maintenance problem?
See answer above.
What is Adopt-A-Highway or Peachy Clean?
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 404-631-1390 or e-mail adopt-a-highway@dot.ga.gov for more information.
Personnel
How do I apply for a job at Georgia DOT?
You can get an application form and job listing for all publicly-announced State Government job openings by visiting www.careers.ga.gov.
How do I find out what jobs are available?
See answer above.
Communications
I'd like to have a speaker for my upcoming civic group meeting. How would I request someone from Georgia DOT?
Please contact the Office of the Commissioner at 404-631-1016 to request a speaker for a transportation-related topic.
Who can I talk to about arranging a newspaper, television or radio interview with a Georgia DOT official?
Call the Georgia DOT's Office of Communications at 404-631-1836 to request an interview for a transportation-related topic.
Right-of-Way
How do I get an access permit for my property along a state route?
Call the Access Permit section in the Right-of-Way Office at 404-347-0169.
Construction
What major roads are under construction?
Please visit our Active Construction Project page or visit Georgia NaviGAtor's real-time construction page.
How do I comment about a problem on a project under construction?
Please fill out our How's My Service? form to submit your inquiries regarding construction projects.
Why does Georgia DOT always seem to be rebuilding the roads?
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.
Why does Georgia DOT always seem to work in traffic at the worst time?
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.
How do I get information about projects that might interfere with my travel plans?
You can call 511, our free, 24-hour-a-day travel information phone service, for the latest information regarding projects and traffic congestion that may impact your travel plans. Visit www.511ga.org to learn more. You can also get real-time travel information at www.georgia-navigator.com.