Augusta route called slowest of high-speed rail plans | The Augusta Chronicle

SUWANEE, Ga. — People from Athens metro Atlanta met Tuesday to offer comments on the environmental impact of six proposed routes for a high-speed train between Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C., and linking to Washington and New York. One route would go through Athens, one through Augusta.

Nearly 75 people attended a public meeting in suburban Atlanta to gain information and to comment on six proposed routes for a high-speed rail line linking two of the South’s major economic centers.

One of the proposals would go through Augusta and Columbia. A different one would go through Athens.

Augusta didn’t send a delegation. It can still have input through written comments either mailed to the Georgia Department of Transportation or submitted online.

“At this point, there is no preferred route based on any one consideration,” said DOT Project Manager Derrick Cameron.

Officials said the Augusta-Columbia route is the longest and would have the slowest speeds due to the twists and turns, but it also links the largest population centers. Other routes have different combinations of strengths and weaknesses.

via Augusta route called slowest of high-speed rail plans | The Augusta Chronicle.