In a blow to environmentalists, a federal judge chose yesterday not to issue an emergency stay on road-building in metro Atlanta. U.S. District Judge Beverly Martin said she would give her final ruling this summer on a lawsuit filed by environmental groups opposed to Georgia’s three-year, $1.9 billion transportation plan for the area. The groups say the plan provides funding to road projects that will elevate pollution levels in the metro area. Atlanta already frequently violates federal air-quality standards. Gov. Roy Barnes (D) tried to broker a compromise with enviros over the winter, but negotiations fell apart in February, leading the groups to sue.
