We’re pleased to share that important elements of the Georgia Commuter Rail project were selected for the Middle Georgia and Three Rivers Regional Roundtable project lists on Monday!  While the Atlanta-to-Griffin rail line is not on the list recommended by the executive committee of the Atlanta Roundtable, Atlanta leaders and organizations (including ARC, GRTA, GDOT and others) are still encouraging us to move forward. As you read this letter, Georgians for Passenger Rail is revising its approach and strategy for this line based on recent, positive conversations with Norfolk-Southern, our U.S. congressmen and state agencies.  This project remains the most cost-effective and highest return-on-investment of any project and is our only opportunity to balance the region’s transportation investment and economic development.

The next step for the Atlanta Roundtable is to hold a series of public meetings for each county within each region. These meetings are your most important outlet to express why Georgia Commuter Rail should be on the Roundtable’s project list. We hope you’ll check the schedule and attend your local meeting to voice your concerns before the list becomes final in October.

Here is some additional information you should know:

• You can find the $6.14 billion project list as approved by the Atlanta Regional Roundtable here.
• The list does not include the total estimated cost of each project, but rather what will be funded by the Transportation Investment Act. Project sponsors will be asked to take care of capital and operational funding gaps.
• The Atlanta Roundtable also has submitted recommendations to the State legislature to improve the likelihood that the Transportation Investment Act will be passed in 2012.

Next week, watch for more details on how you can get involved.  Remember, we need your continued support in promoting this fantastic project for Georgia – we can’t stop now.

Gordon Kenna
CEO, Georgians for Passenger Rail

There is no better time for a commuter rail system in Georgia than now. Thanks to our supporters, we’ve raised the chances of rail being placed on the Georgia Department of Transportation’s constrained projects list.  As we continue to advocate for commuter rail, however, it’s important to keep the role of the Regional Roundtables in mind.

How does the Regional Roundtable process work?

Georgia is divided into 12 Regional Roundtables, all of which consist of 24 members. These Roundtable members have the sole authority to develop the constrained project list for submission to GDOT in October. All projects on the list will receive funding by the proposed penny sales tax that will go to a public vote in 2012.

In our case, there are three regions that need to place commuter rail on the constrained projects list. They include the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Three Rivers Commission and the Middle Georgia Commission (see larger map of regions). Without the support from Roundtable representatives in these three regions, it will be nearly impossible to get commuter rail running within five years.

How can you help?

• Send an email of support. In three easy steps, you can make your voice heard. Visit savegeorgiacommuterrail.com to send an email to your Regional Roundtable representative today.
• Stay informed. Follow us on Twitter, become a fan of our page on Facebook or join our mailing list to keep up with the latest news and share new developments with your social networks.
• Spread the word. We can drastically increase support for this project if we use all of our resources. Consider talking with your friends, neighbors or coworkers who live in the three Roundtable regions to help them understand their role in the process.