There’s another positive sign afoot that Georgia’s transportation authority is taking potential intercity rail transit between Atlanta and Savannah—and possibly other cities—seriously.

Back in March, the Georgia Department of Transportation conducted a public survey to gauge Georgians’ interest in a potential ATL-to-Savannah rail line. Another quick survey with a different slate of questions opened today. 

The latest questionnaire seeks information on Atlantans’ travel patterns to other parts of Georgia. Beyond Savannah, the survey asks how often, and for what purpose, ATLiens visit Athens, Macon, and Augusta, among other questions.  

According to GDOT’s Atlanta to Savannah Project Team, the survey takes on average five to 10 minutes. (Our test-run clocked in at less than four minutes.) The project website now also includes a recording of GDOT’s second stakeholder meeting. 

Georgia Department of Transportation

GDOT entered the public engagement phase early this year of what’s called the Atlanta-Savannah Intercity Passenger Rail Project.

Of course, significant hurdles and question marks stand between here and actual passenger rail service from Georgia’s capital to Savannah. But the fact that GDOT—a roads-first agency if there ever was one—is seriously studying the potential of rail has lent hope to alternate transportation enthusiasts.  

The $10 million study is funded with $8 million from the Federal Rail Administration awarded in 2023, plus a $2 million match from GDOT. 

It aims to produce what’s called a Service Development Plan for passenger rail between Georgia’s growing population centers and increasing demand for travel between them. The broader goal is to develop a program that helps guide the creation of an intercity rail network around the country, starting with rail projects deemed ready for implementation. 

The project study area in question covers a wide swath of Georgia. Georgia Department of Transportation

Amtrak is among the “successful private operators” that will be vetted for cost and feasibility for operating the rail line in Georgia, GDOT officials said earlier this year. (Amtrak has praised intown Atlanta as a strategic intercity rail hub location and last year requested nearly $30 million in federal funding to secure a development site at an undisclosed location here.)

The Atlanta-Savannah Intercity Passenger Rail Project—expected to span several years—will evaluate benefits and costs of the passenger rail line, weigh financial feasibility, and whittle down the range of service alternatives. 

Nothing resembling a construction timeline has been compiled, as no funding for final design and building the rail line has been identified. However, GDOT has said a cost-benefit analysis and the hunt for potential funding sources will come next year. 

GDOT’s goal is to complete the corridor’s Service Development Plan and then finish an Environmental Impact Statement by early 2028. 

Who’s ready to roll? 

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