The Georgia Legislature has created a new state bureaucratic agency aimed at controlling air pollution and traffic in the fast-growing Atlanta region.

The bill establishing the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, a top priority of Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes, is ready for the governor's signature after winning final approval from the Legislature.

"Traffic and air quality will not improve tomorrow,'' Barnes said. ``But if we push forward and insist on regional cooperation, I believe GRTA will provide the mechanism for fixing this problem.''

The agency would have the power to build and operate mass transportation in counties that violate federal clean-air standards. It would also have veto power over road projects and major developments, such as shopping malls, in polluting areas.

Local governments that refuse to cooperate would lose state funding.

The action was prompted by concern over pollution and the rise of low-density development -- derogatorily referred to as "sprawl" by anti-growth critics.

The population in the Atlanta area has doubled in the last three decades to 3.1 million.

The authority would initially have jurisdiction over 13 counties in metro Atlanta that are violating federal pollution limits. State officials predict 11 more counties in the Augusta, Columbus and Macon areas could be added to the list by the summer of 2000.

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