Restoration of passenger rail services to Macon, Atlanta and Savannah is in the planning stages, according to officials FR24 News English

Leaders and officials gathered Wednesday at the Central Corridor Coalition meeting to discuss the possibility of restoring passenger rail service between Atlanta, Macon and Savannah.

FLOVILLA, Ga. (41NBC/WMGT) – Leaders and officials gathered Wednesday at the Central Corridor Coalition meeting to discuss the possibility of restoring passenger rail service between Atlanta, Macon and Savannah.

According to the 1-75 Corridor Coalition, the project is in the planning stages, but is close to becoming a reality. Former Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert spoke of the importance of the project for economic and tourism benefits.

“It’s an economic, tourist advantage,” he said. “It connects remote parts of the state to the national grid. This will be a perfect transportation option when things are too far to drive but too close to fly.

During the planning phase, officials identify alternative routes, estimate ridership, and consider train frequency and operating hours based on ridership needs.

Amit Bose, the administrator of the United States federal administration. The Ministry of Transport says it wants to answer several questions.

“How often will the train be in service, will it only be in service early in the morning and late in the evening? Will there be more than one train in different directions so that users, passengers, can better meet their needs? » said Bose.

Todd Stennis, director of government affairs at Amtrak, says support from state and local governments is important when applying for federal grants.

“When they apply for the federal grants that will be available, they require a state and/or local match,” he said. “The next step in the process requires a 10% match, and subsequent steps will require a 20% match. And it must be local. It cannot be federal.

El-Mahdi Holly, state representative for Georgia House District 116, is also pushing local leaders to apply for grants.

“They’re literally handing out half a million dollars just for these studies,” Holly said. “Hopefully this financial incentive is necessary to help support the appetite, because this area is growing, and we just want to make sure that while businesses can grow, we need to be able to have free mobility infrastructure for residents who want to be able to travel without spending a lot of money.

The railroad administration believes the time is right to begin this project, especially given the influx of people moving to the state of Georgia.

“That’s why it’s important to do this work now,” Bose said. “And to take these steps again. There are a lot of steps to take, but take them now so that when it happens, it’s in place.

$8 million was awarded to the Georgia Department of Transportation to begin the initial rail study. The planning phase could take a few years, but Georgians may soon have a new way to combat traffic woes.