DALTON, Ga. - With Interstate 75 as his backdrop, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal stood on an under-construction interchange Monday to sign the state's $23.7 billion budget and tout its benefits for the state.
The stop was one of several throughout the state for Deal, who tailored his message in Dalton specifically to Northwest Georgians.
The new I-75 interchange at Rocky Face, where Deal, a Republican, spoke is typical of the type of road projects Georgians can expect to see across the state with the implementation of the new budget, he said.
"I've had a few rather harrowing experiences on that exit ramp coming off in the way it was originally configured," Deal said. "It's a very sharp curve you have to encounter there. This is very needed infrastructure, and I'm pleased to see we're doing that with state and federal money."
There is an additional $825 million in the new budget for transportation projects after legislators passed the Transportation Funding Act in 2015, allowing for a revamp in how the state funds transportation.
Motorists can expect the new Rocky Face interchange to be complete by the end of the year. The project, which will cost $50 million, was started in 2013.
"We're very pleased that you're here to sign the budget," Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry said while introducing Deal. "This budget gives us the ability as the department of transportation to continue to invest in our infrastructure and keep Georgia the best place to do business."
Deal also cited the Appalachian Regional Port, an inland port expected to open in Chatsworth by 2018, as a looming helper with the state's traffic problems, saying it's estimated to take thousands of trucks off the road.
"That will do a lot to relieve traffic congestion on Interstate 75," Deal said.
While Deal's Dalton stop featured a heavy dose of transportation talk, he also emphasized the state's investment in education, which was a focal theme in his other Monday stops in metro Atlanta, Gainesville and Savannah.
More than half of the budget is devoted to education, he said, and includes $300 million intended to let school districts end employee furloughs or give teachers raises.
Also included will be $5 million in bonds for renovations to Dalton State College and $5 million for design and construction of a new education building on the Whitfield Murray campus of Georgia Northwestern Technical College.
Deal said Dalton City schools are slated to receive an additional $2.6 million in state funds, while Whitfield County schools will receive $3.5 million.
"Those are just a few of the highlights of what this budget does for your area and for the state as a whole," Deal said.
Dalton Mayor Dennis Mock said he hopes that Deal's stop in Dalton is indicative of the city's good relationship with the state.
"It says a lot," Mock said. "To make us the signing point for the budget is pretty huge."
The budget will take effect July 1.
Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.