Two commuter rails approved

Today the State Board of Transportation gave the green light for two commuter rails. The Atlanta-to-Lovejoy line would serve south metro Atlanta, and the Atlanta-to-Tucker line would serve the northeast metro area. They could be the first steps toward creating an Atlanta-to-Macon commuter rail. The DOT has $107 million in start-up funds for the project. However, there are no firm sources to fund the ongoing operation of the lines.

Commuter rail gets state DOT board consideration

Commuter rail that would link Atlanta to Lovejoy and Tucker, and would lay the groundwork for connections between Athens, Macon and the state capital--is a step closer.

A state Board of Transportation committee gave its recommendation Wednesday, saying the project should move ahead "on a limited basis". It would be funded by more than 100-million dollars already dedicated for the plan. Intermodal Committee chairman, former state Representative Larry Walker of Perry, says rail lines from Atlanta to Athens and Macon would be feasible if ridership is high enough.

The full DOT board will get the proposal this morning.

Rally for commuter rail service

Supporters for commuter rail between Macon and Atlanta gathered in Griffin Tuesday for a rally. It was organized by the Sierra Club and officials with Spalding County. Backers of the rail plan want the Georgia Department of Transportation to fund the project. They say that congestion on Georgia's roads could be reduced with rail service along a 26 mile area from Atlanta to Lovejoy in Clayton County. That would be a first phase of a route that eventually would go to Macon. The state DOT meets soon to consider the project.