GDOT Eyes Federal Rail Funding

Federal passenger rail funding is in the sights of the Georgia Department of Transportation. GDOT says it has starting putting together a comprehensive state rail plan in order to apply for the funds. If Georgia gets the money, state officials would work with neighboring states on connecting high-speed rail service.

(Atlanta Business Chronicle)

Rome hosts meeting on high speed rail idea

The Rome Civic Center was the site last night for the second of three exploratory meetings held by Georgia Department of Transportation officials and high speed rail consultants. On the table is the proposal for a high speed rail line that would connect Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to the airport in Chattanooga, covering about 110 miles.

Officials offer four proposed routes. One is labeled the "Rome Alignment". Another is the easternmost route, which would go through Cartersville and eastern Gordon County, and through Dalton on the way to Chattanooga. The other two proposed routes would use the median of Interstate-75.

Officials will hold a meeting tonight in Chattanooga. Next spring, informational open house meetings are to be scheduled.

High speed rail to be discussed

The idea of a high-speed rail link between Atlanta and Chattanooga will be the topic of three meetings this week. It is a proposed 110-mile magnetic levitation system that would span the distance between Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Chattanooga. A major concern with the proposed rail line is how to pay for it. Meetings this week will include Department of Transportation officials, as well as consultants familiar with high speed rail service. The first meeting is today in Atlanta, followed by meetings tomorrow in Rome, and Thursday in Chattanooga.