07 LC 34
1057
Senate
Resolution 263
By:
Senators Balfour of the 9th, Hudgens of the 47th, Cowsert of the 46th, Unterman
of the 45th, Shafer of the 48th and others
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the Congress of the United States to provide funding for the engineering,
construction, and land acquisition and other necessary costs for commuter rail
connecting Athens to Atlanta; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Passenger Rail Program was initiated in 1995; 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 assessment for the Athens to Atlanta Commuter Rail corridor
was approved with a finding of "no significant impact" in February 2004;
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,
the building of the Athens to Atlanta commuter rail line will require the least
purchase of right of way of any capacity increasing option available;
and
WHEREAS,
the construction of the line would increase economic development along and
around the corridor; and
WHEREAS,
the Athens to Atlanta Commuter Rail Line is an important segment of an overall
healthy commuter and passenger rail system to move citizens throughout
Georgia.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the members of
Congress are urged to help ensure that funding for the Athens to Atlanta
Commuter Rail Line is appropriated in the 110th Congress.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to each member of the Georgia
congressional delegation.