ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) — As Georgia transportation officials begin billions of dollars’ worth of road and bridge projects, MARTA officials are looking to build support for at least $8 billion in commuter rail expansion.

MARTA officials say they want a commuter rail to link Alpharetta with downtown Atlanta and the airport, extensions along Interstate 20 and new rail putting Emory University and the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention online.

Officials say the plan is to spend the next seven months meeting with local and state leaders, including skeptical Republicans, about the plans.

The Republican legislature earlier this year approved a $1 billion plan for roads and bridges. MARTA officials say they are hopeful that changes at the agency will make lawmakers more amenable to rail spending.