Georgia rail group: Restore funding to Atlanta-Griffin line
Says governor’s failure to fund rail line, which could be operational in two years, was “big mistake”
The Georgia Association of Rail Passengers has called for Gov. Sonny Perdue to restore funding for the Atlanta-Griffin commuter rail line that’s been earmarked for federal dollars and which the governor said he’d support during last year’s gas shortage. U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., has already scolded Perdue for not funding the line.
Passenger rail advocates are calling on the Georgia General Assembly to approve $15 million in funding for Atlanta-Griffin commuter rail line, despite Governor Sonny Perdue’s failure to include the money in his budget.
“It’s extremely unfortunate that the Governor went back on his promise to fund the Atlanta-Griffin line,” said Steve Vogel, president of the Georgia Association of Railroad Passengers (GARP). “It also was a big mistake.”
The federal government has $87 million set aside for the rail project, but it’s been stalled for years by state government inaction. The Georgia Department of Transportation has asked for $15 million to get the project moving again.
Rest of the release is after the jump.