By the middle of the next decade, Georgians may be able to travel between Atlanta and Savannah by high-speed rail, avoiding traffic and expensive air fares.
The state Department of Transportation has launched a study of the feasibility of connecting the two urban centers with an intercity passenger rail line. Depending on the route chosen, the project could include stops in Augusta, Athens and Macon.
The agency held the first “stakeholder” meeting online in January to begin gathering public feedback on the project, with more planned later this year.
Besides the Atlanta-to-Savannah proposal, the DOT is also looking at passenger rail lines from Atlanta to Charlotte, N.C., from Atlanta through Chattanooga, and Nashville to Memphis. Under the timeline set, initial planning will take place this year through 2027, with the agency deciding such issues as the route, station locations, and the technology that will be used. If the project is deemed feasible, an environmental impact study will begin in 2028.
