The GDOT is a large agency with approximately 5,000 employees and a budget of more than $2 billion. A commissioner elected by the State Transportation Board serves as the leader of the agency. A second senior position, director of planning, was created for the department in 2009. That position is appointed by the state's governor. The State Transportation Board, which includes 13 members elected by a General Assembly caucus, provides governing oversight of the agency and has authority on a number of important topics, such as deciding which public roads are included in the state highway system.
Central to the mission of the GDOT is its charge to maintain and improve existing state roads and bridges in Georgia. Much of the department's budget is directed toward upkeep and improvement projects on roads in the network of state highways. State gas taxes provide funding for road maintenance, while other state funds target bridge upkeep. The GDOT gauges the maintenance that is needed around the state, allocates resources to targeted projects, designs the repairs or improvements and implements them.
Georgia has experienced robust population growth, putting pressure on the state's roadways and creating congestion. That has meant that an important role of the GDOT is not just maintaining roads but building them. A separate division of construction manages the construction projects, including research, notifying the public and soliciting public input, overseeing the actual work and handling bids and contractors. The State Transportation Board signs off on construction contracts and lease agreements related to road construction.
The GDOT has many responsibilities in addition to road and bridge work, though taking care of infrastructure for consumer auto travel is its primary duty. The department also provides some planning and funding for mass transit, according to the department's website, and contributes some funds to airports, as well as some planning support for air travel issues in the state. GDOT is also responsible for rail travel and waterways in Georgia, including two ports.
