GDOT flirts with idea of Atlanta-to-Savannah intercity rail

GDOT flirts with idea of Atlanta-to-Savannah intercity rail Josh Green Wed, 03/19/2025 - 08:18 Imagine boarding an intercity train at lunchtime on Friday in Atlanta, finishing out the workweek online while in transit, and spending the weekend in one of the most walkable cities in America—Savannah—before boarding the train again Sunday to swing back home.

Or imagine using the train system to do business in either city during the week—no sitting in traffic, gas expenses, or exorbitant parking fees required.

Seem like science fiction? Maybe not.

Following a stakeholder kickoff meeting in late January (yes, during this presidential administration), the Georgia Department of Transportation (no, not a typo) has entered the public engagement phase of what’s called the Atlanta-Savannah Intercity Passenger Rail Project (squeal!).

Many hurdles and question marks, of course, stand between here and actual passenger rail service from Georgia’s state capital to The Hostess City, but for alternate transportation enthusiasts, an analysis covering many of Georgia’s largest and fastest-growing cities could be a step in the right direction.

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

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

According to GDOT, Amtrak is just one of the “successful private operators” that will be vetted for cost and feasibility for operating the rail line in Georgia. (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.)

As a first step, GDOT is asking for your 2 cents with a quick and engaging survey to gauge interest in and take suggestions for potential Atlanta-to-Savannah rail. Our test-run took less than three minutes.

Expected to span several years, the Atlanta-Savannah Intercity Passenger Rail Project 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 because no funding for final design and building the rail line has been identified, per GDOT.

Georgia Department of Transportation

More optimistically, GDOT says 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.

Choo choo?

…

Follow us on social media:

Twitter / Facebook/and now: Instagram

• OTP news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)