08 LC 33
2559
House
Resolution 1631
By:
Representatives Heard of the
104th,
Cox of the
102nd,
Mitchell of the
88th,
Rice of the
51st,
Marin of the
96th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the Georgia Department of Transportation to implement commuter rail service
connecting Macon, Atlanta, and Athens; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Rail Passenger Program was initiated in 1995; and
WHERAES,
the Macon to Atlanta commuter rail line is in the adopted, conforming regional
transportation plan as well as the current Atlanta Regional Commission
Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP); and
WHEREAS,
the Athens to Atlanta commuter rail was selected as the locally preferred
alternative, out of seven alternatives, by the state in December, 2001;
and
WHEREAS,
the establishment of railway passenger service to the general public and
connecting points within and throughout this state and to nearby states will
develop and promote, for the public good and general welfare of this state,
trade, commerce, tourism, industry, and employment opportunities while
alleviating highway traffic congestion and related air pollution;
and
WHEREAS,
the citizens of Georgia are now faced with some of the longest commute times in
the United States; and
WHEREAS,
the environmental clearance has been accomplished; and
WHEREAS,
an audit of the Georgia Rail Passenger Program has shown $2,342,785.00 has been
spent by the federal and state governments through 2006 to prepare the Athens to
Atlanta Rail Corridor; and
WHEREAS,
a total of $106 million in funding is available from the DOT, including an $87
million federal earmark for the Macon to Atlanta line;
and
WHEREAS, the Atlanta to Athens commuter rail line has been included in the regional and state long-range transportation plans and is partially funded in the current Atlanta Regional Commission Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP); and
WHEREAS, the Atlanta to Athens commuter rail line has been included in the regional and state long-range transportation plans and is partially funded in the current Atlanta Regional Commission Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP); and
WHEREAS,
the current funding in the TIP for the Athens-Atlanta line includes $7.5 million
in corridor funds and $6 million in CMAQ funds for the four Gwinnett County
stations; and
WHEREAS,
the construction of these lines would increase economic development along and
around the corridor; and
WHEREAS,
these commuter rail lines would provide solid progress on congestion mitigation
and improved air quality.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
the Georgia Transportation Board are urged to help ensure that the existing
plans for the Macon to Atlanta to Athens commuter rail lines are implemented
with urgency.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to each member
of the Georgia Transportation Board.