Georgia Rail Passenger Program

The Georgia Rail Passenger Program (GRPP) was a set of plans, as yet unbuilt, for intercity and commuter rail in the U.S. state of Georgia.

Commuter Routes

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Seven commuter routes were proposed to serve the Atlanta suburbs and nearby cities.

Athens to Atlanta ("Brain Train")

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The Athens, Georgia route will connect nine of Georgia's colleges and universities, including Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Emory University, Georgia Gwinnett College, and the University of Georgia. Furthermore, the commuter rail will link the Centers for Disease Control, the new Paul D. Coverdell Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences, as well as the emerging BioScience Corridor along Georgia State Route 316.

The route is estimated to divert 1.8 million drivers from the highways by 2025.[1] As many as 8,000 individuals or more could conceivably use the system every day, and it could remove 5,300 cars daily from already overtaxed roadways during peak travel times. Also, previous studies have indicated that commuter rail is 25 times safer than driving.

The Georgia Brain Train Group is a non-profit organization with the goal to educate the general public about the opportunities surrounding commuter rail. The group is made of community activists, business leaders, and professionals from every county and city along the proposed route. The group is led by self-described entrepreneur, re-developer, and former Georgia state representative Emory Morsberger of the Morsberger Group.[2] Morsberger projects have previously included the revitalization of downtown Lawrenceville.[3]

As currently proposed, the route will cost $383 million as determined by a 2005 estimate. This price projection includes construction, rail stations, and rail cars. While tickets sales alone will not fully fund the $5 million in operating costs, it is important to note that no mass transit system in the United States operates without some form of government subsidies. Transit advocates often interpret transit subsidization as parallel to road building, which is typically totally subsidized, although ongoing operating costs may be lower.

Atlanta to Lovejoy and Macon

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The Atlanta to Macon route was, as of 2006, seen as the first line ready for implementation, primarily because the railroad owner, Norfolk Southern had shown more interest than had CSX, the owner of the Athens line. In addition, the Clayton County Commission had offered to fund much of the operating costs of the line, over $106 million in funding was available from the U.S. Department of Transportation, and environmental assessment had been completed.[4]

Funding Delays

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In April 2006, a line was slipped into the state budget forbidding the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) from spending any funds on commuter rail without direct approval from the General Assembly. Rail advocates saw that as a last-minute sabotage of the program, as the General Assembly only meets for 40 days once a year.[5] In addition, the Clayton County Commission in January 2007 withdrew its commitment to fund the operating costs of the line.

Revived Interest in 2008

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There has been revived interest in the Lovejoy line in 2008 and the governor backed it in June.

In January 2008, a delegation of GDOT members visited Philadelphia and Chicago to see how commuter rail systems in those cities was implemented. They also visited the LYNX light rail line in Charlotte.

In early June, that delegation passed a mostly symbolic resolution urging state leaders to pass a transit policy.

In June 2008, under intense pressure from businesses and Atlanta residents along with other politicians, Governor Sonny Perdue backed the Lovejoy line and said he wants it to be pursued aggressively. This may have been partially spurred by a visit the Governor previously had to rep. David Scott's office. David Scott warned that the deadline for acting on the federal dollars would run out soon.[6]

Clayton County and MARTA

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In 2014, Clayton County voters approved a one-cent sales tax increase allowing the county to join the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority with the promise of MARTA buses and the long-awaited commuter rail train from East Point to Jonesboro.[7] In December 2018, MARTA officially approved the Clayton County commuter rail.[8] Norfolk Southern Railway had come to an agreement with Georgia Department of Transportation for use of its right-of-way in constructing a commuter rail train back in 2006.[9] Right-of-way sharing is very common across the country, especially since many railroads received eminent domain land grants when originally constructing their railroad lines.[10] According to the Association of American Railroads, "half of commuter systems operate at least partially on freight-owned track, and approximately 25% of the miles on which commuter railroads operate are owned by freight railroads."[11] However, as the project approached, by 2021, Norfolk Southern decided they were no longer willing to offer their railroad frontage. This loss would add $600 million to the project's total cost.[12] Because federal regulations require "voluntary" agreements between railroad and forbid eminent domain usage, MARTA could not fight this opposition in court.[13] The escalating cost led MARTA to replace the plan for rail transit with a Bus rapid transit system based on surface streets around Clayton County.[14][15]

Bremen to Atlanta

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The Southern Railway operated this line heading west toward Birmingham, Alabama. The line continues to be used today for Amtrak's Crescent. Into the mid-1960s, the line had local service provided by the Frisco/Southern joint Kansas City-Florida Special and the Southern's #11/#12 train.[16]

Canton to Atlanta

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This line of rail will run from Canton and connect into the Western and Atlantic Railroad line that runs from Atlanta to Acworth, then continue along the Western and Atlantic through Marietta, Smyrna, Cumberland, Vinings, and then the Bolton district of Atlanta, West Midtown (near Georgia Tech), then connect into either Midtown via Atlantic Station or continue to Five Points, or both. Outside the city limits of Atlanta along this route, city populations total over 200,000 people if the high-density Cumberland district of Cobb County is included. Additionally, outlying areas would bring even more commuters.

A funding mechanism has been found for build up to Marietta from Atlanta by using future years' revenue from CSX to pay back the initial costs of a quick build-out. [1]

Gainesville to Atlanta

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This line included a commuter operation until the early 1930s. It continues to be used by Amtrak for daily passenger service with the Crescent. Into the 1960s the Southern Railway ran this and other trains such as Piedmont Limited, Peach Queen, Southerner, daily along this same route. The Norfolk Southern Railway operates freight service on this line.

Atlanta to Social Circle

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Traditionally, this was the Georgia Railroad main line heading east towards Augusta.[17]

Atlanta to West Point

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Traditionally, this was the Atlanta and West Point Railroad, heading southwest in the direction of Montgomery, Alabama. Trains such as the Southern Railway's Crescent and Piedmont Limited made stops at West Point and some of the intermediate towns en route.[18]

North Georgia Commuter Rail (NGCR)

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The North Georgia Commuter Rail is a new proposed commuter rail network composed of seven lines.

Gainesville Line
 
North Atlanta station, a major stop on the Gainesville line
Overview
StatusProposed
LocaleAtlanta
Fulton County
DeKalb County
Gwinnett County
Hall County
Termini
Stations16
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemNorth Georgia Commuter Rail
Operator(s)North Georgia Commuter Rail
Depot(s)Inman Yard
Rolling stockDiesel-Electric push-pull locomotives
Technical
Line length53.06 mi (85.39 km)
CharacterGrade-separated and At-grade
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Route map

 
Amtrak
to New York
 
Gainesville
 
Westside/Lee Gilmer Airport
 
 
Oakwood
 
Flowery Branch
 
Rest Haven
 
Buford
 
 
Sugar Hill
 
Suwanee
 
Duluth
 
Pleasant Hill Road
 
Norcross
 
 
 
Chamblee
 
Brookhaven
 
Lenox
 
 
   US 19 / SR 9
 
North Atlanta
 
  I-75
 
   US 41 / SR 3
 
 
Rome Service/Tallapoosa Corridor
to Rome and Tallapoosa
 
    US 19 / US 41 / SR 3
 
 
LaGrange Line
to LaGrange
 
Georgia Tech
 
     US 29 / US 78 / US 278 / SR 8
 
 
 
Macon Service
to Macon
 
Georgia Multi-Modal Passenger Terminal
 
Athens Line/Covington/Madison Line
to Athens and Madison
  Bus connections at some stations
Tallapoosa Corridor
 
The EMD F125, one of the two locomotives proposed for NGCR
Overview
StatusProposed
LocaleAtlanta
Fulton County
Cobb County
Douglas County
Carroll County
Haralson County
Termini
Stations14
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemNorth Georgia Commuter Rail
Operator(s)North Georgia Commuter Rail
Depot(s)Inman Yard
Rolling stockDiesel-Electric push-pull locomotives
Technical
Line length61.98 mi (99.75 km)
CharacterGrade-separated and At-grade
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Route map

 
Amtrak
to New Orleans
 
Tallapoosa
 
 
   US 78 / SR 8
 
 
Bremen
 
Temple
 
Villa Rica
 
Douglasville
 
Kellogg
 
Lithia Springs
 
   US 278 / SR 6
 
Austell
 
Mableton
 
Cooper Lake
 
 
Scott's Crossing
 
 
Rome Service
to Rome
 
Knight Park
 
 
Gainesville Line
to Gainesville
 
    US 19 / US 41 / SR 3
 
 
LaGrange Line
to LaGrange
 
Georgia Tech
 
     US 29 / US 78 / US 278 / SR 8
 
 
 
Macon Service
to Macon
 
Five Points
 
Athens Line/Covington/Madison Line
to Athens and Madison
  Bus connections at some stations
Athens Line
 
The University of Georgia in Athens
Overview
StatusProposed
LocaleAtlanta
Fulton County
DeKalb County
Gwinnett County
Barrow County
Oconee County
Clarke County
Termini
Stations18
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemNorth Georgia Commuter Rail
Operator(s)North Georgia Commuter Rail
Depot(s)Inman Yard
Rolling stockDiesel-Electric push-pull locomotives
Technical
Line length68.34 mi (109.98 km)
CharacterGrade-separated and At-grade
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Route map

 
Athens
 
   US 129 / SR 10
 
   US 129 / SR 15
 
Cleveland Road-West Athens
 
Bogart
 
 
Statham
 
   SR 11 / SR 53
 
Winder
 
Auburn
 
 
Dacula
 
 
 
Lawrenceville
 
 
   US 29 / SR 8
 
Yorktown
 
Ansley Brook
 
Lilburn
 
   US 29 / SR 8
 
Tucker
 
Northlake
 
 
North Druid Hills
 
   US 23 / SR 155
 
North Decatur
 
West Decatur-Scott Blvd
 
 
   US 278 / SR 10
 
 
Covington/Madison Line
to Madison
 
Edgewood/Candler Park
 
   US 23 / SR 42
 
     I-75 / I-85 / SR 401 / SR 403
 
 
Five Points
 
North Georgia Commuter Rail Trains
to Gainesville, Tallapoosa, Macon, LaGrange and Rome
  Bus connections at some stations
Covington/Madison Line
 
A Siemens diesel trainset
Overview
StatusProposed
LocaleAtlanta
Fulton County
DeKalb County
Rockdale County
Newton County
Walton County
Morgan County
Termini
Stations15
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemNorth Georgia Commuter Rail
Operator(s)North Georgia Commuter Rail
Depot(s)Inman Yard
Rolling stockDiesel-Electric push-pull locomotives
Technical
Line length67.71 mi (108.97 km)
CharacterGrade-separated and At-grade
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Route map

 
Madison
 
 
Rutledge
 
 
Social Circle
 
  I-20
 
Covington
 
 
  I-20
 
Almon
 
 
Conyers
 
 
Lithonia
 
Redan
 
Stone Mountain
 
 
Wilshire-Hambrick Road
 
Clarkston
 
 
Scottdale
 
 
Agnes Scott College
 
   US 278 / SR 10
 
 
Athens Line
to Athens
 
Edgewood/Candler Park
 
   US 23 / SR 42
 
     I-75 / I-85 / SR 401 / SR 403
 
 
Five Points
 
North Georgia Commuter Rail Trains
to Gainesville, Tallapoosa, Macon, LaGrange and Rome
  Bus connections at some stations

Intercity Routes

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Routes proposed for intercity transportation include:

References

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  1. ^ Finding of No Significant Impact - Athens to Atlanta Commuter Rail Project
  2. ^ Morsberger Group
  3. ^ Horton Team Real Estate: October 2007
  4. ^ GDOT 2006 Fact Sheet - Lovejoy to Atlanta Rail Line
  5. ^ Georgia Rail Passenger Group Blasts "Great Train Robbery"
  6. ^ At last, Gov. Perdue on board for commuter rail
  7. ^ Vock, Daniel C (2014-09-17). "The Driver Behind Public Transit's Transformation in Atlanta". Governing. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  8. ^ Wickert, David. "MARTA approves plans for Clayton County commuter train". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  9. ^ "Congressman David Scott Applauds New Commuter Rail". U.S. Congressman David Scott. 2006-11-15. Archived from the original on 2006-11-29. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  10. ^ Federal Railroad Administration (July 2019). "Shared-Use of Railroad Rights-of-Way" (PDF). United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  11. ^ "Freight Rail & Amtrak: Providing the Foundation for Passenger Rail". Association of American Railroads. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  12. ^ Wickert, David; Stafford, Leon. "MARTA may scrap plans for Clayton County rail line". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  13. ^ Prozzi, Jolanda; Walthall, Rydell; Kenney, Megan; Warner, Jeff; Morgan, Curtis (2014-12-01). "Public Use of Rail Right-of-Way in Urban Areas" (PDF). Texas A&M Transportation Institute. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
  14. ^ Wickert, David; Stafford, Leon. "MARTA may scrap plans for Clayton County rail line". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  15. ^ Wilkins, Tyler (2022-11-17). "MARTA again chooses bus rapid transit for Clayton County expansion". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  16. ^ Southern Timetable, April 1964 http://streamlinermemories.info/South/SRR64-4TT.pdf
  17. ^ Official Guide of the Railways, Georgia Railroad section May 1945
  18. ^ Official Guide of the Railways, Atalanta and West Point section, May 1945
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Intercity Rail Program". Archived from the original on 2008-02-23. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  20. ^ a b c d e f "Planning::High Speed Rail". www.columbusga.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  21. ^ a b c d e "Amtrak Connects Us". Amtrak Media. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
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