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Dickens has worked toward forming the department since March 2017, when a study was commissioned to assess Atlanta’s need for a transportation department.

Right now, the city’s transportation needs are addressed across three departments: the public works department, which repairs the city’s roads; the planning department, which designs them; and Renew Atlanta, which makes long-term investments in the city’s transportation infrastructure. Dickens said current employees will be reassigned to the department.

The transportation department will be divided into four offices — operations and maintenance; capital projects; mobility strategy, planning and performance; and an office of the commissioner, which will be responsible for creating and managing transportation projects, and overseeing maintenance issues and funding.

Dickens said part of the budget will allow for community input throughout the months-long rollout process.

“As we roll this out, communities can tell us how they want the department to communicate with them,” she said.

In the meantime, residents will still be able to send their transportation issues to atl311.com, which is a mobile app and a website where residents can notify the city of road issues or other non-emergency city service needs.

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