VALDOSTA, GA – Georgia Department of Transportation representatives are holding a meeting Thursday in Valdosta to explain the purpose of the 2014 Statewide Rail Plan and hear what the public wants and needs from their rail system.
The meeting will be held at the Valdosta City Hall Annex, 300 N. Lee St., from 5-7 p.m. A short presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. The presentation and a short survey also will be available on the project webpage the week of the meeting via the following link: http://www.dot.ga.gov/
The 2014 Statewide Rail Plan will serve as a statewide long-range rail planning document and provide comprehensive industry data. It will cover the time period from the present to year 2040 for integration with the Georgia Statewide Transportation Plan (SWTP) and Statewide Strategic Transportation Plan (SSTP).
The plan will articulate the state’s vision for freight and passenger rail services. Pursuant with federal requirements, the plan will include a description of the state rail network, its related transportation and economic impacts, and a proposed program of investments in the state rail system consistent with the state’s rail vision. The Department will conduct extensive outreach to the state’s railroads, shippers, ports, transit agencies, public sector transportation planners, neighboring states’ transportation officials and the public. This outreach will also be fundamental in establishing the state rail vision, along with supporting goals and objectives, to guide the Department’s rail planning and programing efforts into the future.
Valdosta is one of three cities chosen for a total of six public meetings scheduled this year. The other locations are Dalton and Atlanta. A second round of meetings will be held this fall to explain the plan’s recommendations and solicit public comments. The 2014 Georgia State Rail Plan will be published in December. CDM Smith, a transportation planning and engineering firm, is assisting DOT in the plan’s development. Inquiries about the plan can be directed to Harry Boxler, Project Manager, at hboxler@dot.ga.gov or 404-631-1225.
Source: GDOT
