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Atlanta's $660 Million Infrastructure Fund: Only 15% Disbursed by End of 2025

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, November 11th 2025 at 12:38 GMT by Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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Atlanta Spends Only 15% of the $660 Million Infrastructure Fund Approved by Voters

In a recent citywide election, Atlanta’s residents gave the municipal government a hefty $660 million earmarked for a wide range of infrastructure projects. By the end of 2025, however, the city’s financial records show that just 15 percent—roughly $99 million—has been disbursed, leaving a staggering $561 million still in the accounts. The article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) details the reasons behind the slow burn, the specific projects that have started, and the political fallout that’s already rippling through the city’s neighborhoods.

The Ballot Measure that Shocked the City

The measure, known formally as City Infrastructure Fund 2025 (CIF‑25), was one of the most heavily promoted items on the November ballot. The campaign, run by a coalition of local nonprofits and business leaders, highlighted urgent needs such as deteriorating highways, aging water mains, and the urgent need to modernize public transit. Voters approved the measure with a 62‑percent majority—an impressive margin that underscored the electorate’s appetite for tangible improvements to city infrastructure.

City officials immediately pledged to deploy the money as swiftly as possible. In a post‑election press conference, Mayor Keisha Thompson declared that “Atlanta will be a model of accountability and progress.” However, the subsequent fiscal year revealed a more complex reality.

How the Money Has Been Spent

The figure above—derived from the city’s audited budget released in early December—shows a spread of early‑stage projects but also highlights significant gaps. In several cases, initial design work is complete but no funding has been released for the next procurement phase. In others, funding was earmarked but was not enough to cover inflationary costs or to pay for the higher‑than‑expected material prices.

Why the Delays?

The article cites several interlocking factors:

1. Federal and State Matching Funds – Many of the projects require matching money from the Department of Transportation (DOT) or the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The federal stimulus package for infrastructure that was supposed to match the $660 million has, in part, been delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles, and the state’s share has not yet been allocated.

2. Procurement and Tendering – The city’s procurement rules, designed to ensure transparency, have extended the bidding cycle for some of the larger projects. The AJC report notes that the Downtown roadway repaving project has been held up by a two‑month bid window that is now past its final closing date.

3. Legal and Environmental Review – Projects that touch on environmental concerns, such as the BeltLine expansion, must pass a series of environmental impact assessments. The review board’s docket has been backlogged, and the city council has had to request extensions from the Environmental Protection Agency.

4. Political Gridlock – A newly elected city council, with a split majority between Democrats and Republicans, has postponed several votes on the release of funds. According to the article’s quotes from councilmember Aisha Brown, “We’re still in negotiation to make sure the money is used in a way that benefits all neighborhoods.”

5. Inflation and Cost Overruns – The cost of construction materials has spiked since the ballot measure was passed. The mayor’s office admitted that “the inflationary shock has made our original estimates overly optimistic.” The council is revising budgets for several projects, which has delayed disbursements.

Reactions From the Community

Voter sentiment is divided. On the one hand, many residents in the Poncey‑Highland area and the Southwest side are pleased that their neighborhoods are receiving the first tranche of water main replacements. On the other hand, activists from the “Future Atlanta” coalition have criticized the city for what they see as a “campaign of empty promises.” Their recent open letter, which the AJC linked to, calls for a transparent audit and a new timeline that ensures funds are spent by 2027.

In a town‑hall meeting held in the East Atlanta district, resident‑turned‑activist Marcus Lee expressed frustration: “We were told we would see streets fixed this year. We’re still waiting for the money to hit the contractor’s account.” He called on the city to increase communication and to provide a weekly update on the status of each project.

Looking Forward

The city council is slated to meet on January 15 to discuss the next wave of funding releases. According to the AJC’s analysis, the council’s agenda will include:

• Finalizing the procurement documents for the Downtown roadway project.
• Approving an emergency allocation of $20 million to complete the BeltLine Phase 2 before the summer heatwave season.
• Negotiating the federal DOT’s matching funds for the bridge repair in Midtown.

Mayor Thompson’s office has already promised a “re‑examination of the project timelines” and the creation of an independent oversight committee that will publish quarterly progress reports on each funded project.

Key Takeaway

While the city’s decision to allocate $660 million to infrastructure is commendable, the actual spending remains alarmingly low at 15 percent. The AJC’s investigative piece paints a picture of a city grappling with the practicalities of large‑scale public investment—balancing budget constraints, bureaucratic red tape, and political negotiation—while still honoring the mandate of its voters. The next year will be crucial in determining whether Atlanta can transform its promises into tangible, visible improvements that its citizens were so eager to see.