Gov. Nathan Deal has announced the end of tolls on Georgia Highway 400 by the end of next year.

He tied the announcement to the metro Atlanta area's upcoming transportation tax referendum on the July 31 primary ballot, calling the move a "good faith effort" to restore public trust in government spending. Opponents of the tax have raised concerns about how such funds would be handled.

Deal also pointed to one of the larger items on the region's infrastructure wish list, which would put $400 million into a project at Ga. 400 and I-285 if the ballot measure passes.

Deal says the tolls were originally set to end in 2017, but the state will pay off its bond debt for Ga. 400 in December 2013.