Georgians may soon have a new option for traveling between Atlanta and Savannah as state transportation officials are exploring a high-speed rail connection. Information from FOX5 Atlanta notes that the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has initiated a feasibility study to consider a passenger rail system that could exceed speeds of 125 miles per hour. Routes under consideration could include stops at key cities throughout the state such as Augusta, Athens, and Macon.
There's substantial interest from the public, as referenced by the more than 4,000 comments received during an initial online stakeholder meeting. "There's definitely interest," said Clement Solomon, director of the DOT's Intermodal Division, in a statement obtained by The Northeast Georgian. Predictions suggest the project could be viable by 2035, pending a successful environmental review following the feasibility study, which is expected to continue through 2027.
Public meetings are planned to facilitate community input on the project, which also includes choosing technology and station locations. Funding for the initiative has been partially secured with a $10 million budget for the study, comprised of an $8 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration and a $2 million state match. Moreover, GDOT is contemplating three routing options: using existing rail lines, constructing a new line, or a combination of both.
Opting for high-speed rail, which is the public's preference, would influence the number of stations along the route. "If you have 10 stations, it defeats the purpose of high-speed rail," Solomon elucidated. However, considerations must be made for the port's economy, as Bert Brantley, president and CEO of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce warned of potential disruptions to freight rail traffic. "It's not the no-brainer people might assume," Brantley told The Northeast Georgian. "We have to be very careful. We don't want to create a benefit that comes at the expense of jobs, growth, and new investment."
