This week, Mayor Andre Dickens released the proposed City of Atlanta budget for the next fiscal year (media release): a $3.0 Billion total operating budget, including $975 Million General Fund.
Read more to find out what's in it for transportation and how you can advocate for safer, more equitable Atlanta mobility.
The administration proposes to essentially return the Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT)’s General Fund budget to its 2023 level. The FY23 budget was $57.5M, and the FY26 proposed budget is $58.6M.
That’s just a 2% increase over three years, during a time of population growth, voter-approved infrastructure packages, and an urgent need for safer streets.
Bigger picture
If this budget is adopted as-is, ATLDOT would get 6% of the City’s General Fund. The police department would have the largest share, at 32%, with fire coming in next at 14%.
People power without enough people
One of the biggest issues we’ve seen in recent years as we advocate for safe, connected, and equitable transportation in Atlanta is a lack of city staff to spend the money that taxpayers approved for transportation and other infrastructure.
While the FY2026 budget increases authorized positions for ATLDOT, that doesn’t mean those jobs are filled. According to data from the Center for Civic Innovation, 24% of ATLDOT’s roles are vacant. Capital Projects—the division that builds big infrastructure projects—has a 39% vacancy rate, including the deputy director position.
Where are the metrics?
In the City’s budget document, pages 448-450 list the department’s FY2025 accomplishments. While most of the offices listed details and metrics, notably missing from the Capital Projects paragraph were any figures with quantities of sidewalks, bike lanes, or safe streets projects installed.
Once again this year, the department’s performance measures include potholes filled–but not sidewalks fixed, pedestrian signals installed, or traffic calming projects completed. This says a lot about priorities.
What we’re calling for
Our annual advocacy agenda calls for the City to fully fund and staff the Atlanta Department of Transportation, to provide it with the resources needed to meet community transportation needs, get projects built, and implement the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan.
While the draft budget would increase the department’s funding, we don’t yet know if it would be enough to meet these needs:
- Implement the recommendations of the Fatal Crash Review Commission in a timely manner to prevent further death or injuries at locations known to be dangerous.
- Deliver bike and pedestrian projects during repaving and fulfill Atlanta City Council's legislated mandate. ATLDOT has said they don't have the funding or staff capacity to do this in tandem with street resurfacings as they did in 2023, and that they’ll get to these projects after the 2026 World Cup, which was not the intention of Council’s amendment to the World Cup bond.
- Set up a Crosswalk Crew and Vision Zero Quick Response Team – how many maintenance staff do we need to refill potholes every month? Potholes will always pop back up until the underlying issue (usually water related) is fixed. ATLDOT should have at least the same if not more staff dedicated to and maintaining crosswalks, repainting lane stripes, and fixing known hazards to prevent crashes and help achieve Vision Zero.
- Keep Atlanta Streets Alive monthly – if the budget isn’t increased, some Atlanta Streets Alive dates may have to be cut due to the City's current budget deficit. This initiative is helping build support for safer streets and rebalancing our transportation systems. Let’s keep it going strong!
What you can do
- Watch the department’s budget briefing: Tuesday, May 20 9:30-11:30 AM. Atlanta City Council on YouTube
- Call on the Mayor and your City Councilmember to fully fund and staff the ATLDOT. Find your Councilmember or meet the Mayor
- Speak up for safe, equitable mobility at the public hearing Wednesday, May 21 6:15-7 PM. Atlanta Budget Briefing Schedule
Got an idea for how we can turn the tide for transportation? Tell us!