TSPLOST
What is TSPLOST?
Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) is a mechanism for Georgia voters to enact a regional sales tax for transportation purposes and projects. The law allows a region to implement a one percent regional sales tax over a ten year period to fund transportation improvements. In early 2017, a majority of Southern Georgia counties passed resolutions to initiate the process for a regional transportation sales tax.
When did TSPLOST pass?
The Regional Transportation Roundtable, consisting of the County Commission Chairs and a Mayor from each of the 18 counties, met in April 2017 to start this regional process. In 2017, a majority of Southern Georgia counties passed resolutions to initiate the process for a regional transportation sales tax. Citizens from all 18 counties voted on May 22, 2018, in the general primary ballot to pass the entire list of projects.
What are the other counties in this region who participated?
Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner, and Ware. The 1 percent transportation special purpose local option sales tax garnered 19,975 yes votes to 17,731 no votes, passing TSPLOST for the region.
What are the projects that are scheduled for Valdosta and Lowndes County?
(Please note the following projects below are only for Valdosta, Lowndes County projects. Citizens will vote on the entire list of projects for all 18 regions in the general primary ballot. Please click here to view the full list of the 18 regions projects.)
Project list:
- Old Clyattville Road Widening ($21,200,000) -
- I-75 @ SR 31- Phase II Exit 11 ($21,445,000)
- Old 41 N. Widening ($6,516,800)
- Shiloh Road Resurfacing and Bridge Replacement ($5,600,000)
- Orr Road Extension ($1,175,000)
- Clyattstone Road/Simpson Lane Paving and Drainage Improvements ($2,300,000)
- Briggstone Road Paving and Drainage Improvements ($2,525,000)
- Hightower Road/Cooper Road NE Paving and Drainage Improvements ($3,750,000)
- Hickory Grove Road Bridge Replacement ($2,700,000)
- Kinderlou Clyattville Road Paving and Drainage Improvements ($3,450,000)
- Coleman Road NW Paving and Drainage Improvements ($2,300,000)
- Twin Lakes Road Paving and Drainage Improvements ($2,100,000)
- Hall Road Paving, Drainage and Other Improvements ($3,700,000)
- Country Club Drive Widening ($8,800,800)
- St. Augustine Road RR Grade Separation ($18,900,000)
- New Air Traffic Control Tower at Valdosta Regional Airport ($2,705,000)
- Old Clyattville Road Widening ($6,217,514) - Bid on 03/07/2024
- St. Augustine Road at Norman Drive Intersection, Drainage and Signal Improvements ($3,988,700)
- South Patterson Street at Griffin Avenue Intersection and Drainage Improvements ($1,258,000)
- St. Augustine Road at Gornto Road Intersection and Drainage Improvements ($2,510,100)
- Forrest Street Widening ($20,301,700)
- Baytree Road at Gornto Road Intersection and Signal Improvements ($2,734,000) - Bid on June 28, 2023
When will the construction begin?
TSPLOST projects are broken down into three phases. Phase 1 is from 2018 - 2021, Phase 2 is from 2022 - 2024, and Phase 3, the final phase, is from 2025 - 2028. Valdosta only has one project in Phase 1, the New Air Traffic Control Tower at the Regional Airport. The rest of the projects are in Phase 2 and Phase 3. Before you start the project the money has to come in. The tax will go into effect on October 1st. Counties will start seeing funds in November.
What is the difference between SPLOST and TSPLOST?
TSPLOST is a Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that can only be used for roads, bridges, airports, safety improvements, transit, maintenance, and operations.
SPLOST is a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. This is a 1-cent sales tax, which the State of Georgia allows counties to collect to fund specific improvement projects. The proceeds of the tax must be spent for capital (non-operating) items by the county government and participating municipalities within the county.
Will the TSPLOST tax be in effect for the full 10 years?
TSPLOST is a 10-year tax, or until the projected amount is collected whichever comes first.
What is the breakdown of the Regional Sales Tax proceeds?
- 75% for projects on the list
- 25% for Local Governments - can be used for any type of transportation improvements such as roads, transportation services, bike/pedestrian facilities, etc. Valdosta will receive $6.3 million in discretionary funds.
More Information
View Southern Georgia Regional TSPLOST map to learn more about specific projects.