| WSB News |
Perdue Talks High Speed Rail
(WSB Radio) Governor Sonny Perdue is back in Georgia after a White House meeting that could bring high speed rail to the state.
The Obama administration is looking at ten different corridors, including in the southeast, for high speed rail. It could mean service between Atlanta and New Orleans, or Washington, D.C.
The Governor says this is an opportunity.
"I think we need to do something new," Mr. Perdue said outside the White House, "visionary and high tech in this country. Similar to what Europe and Spain and France have done, traveling over 200 miles per hour."
Vice President Joe Biden agrees, saying we can't land many more planes at already busy airports, like Hartsfield-Jackson, in Atlanta.
"I hope to goodness this gets marked as the beginning of the day we really begin to rebalance our transportation system," Biden said following the meeting.
The White House is suggesting lines that would connect Atlanta to Raleigh in the east, the Gulf Coast to the southwest and Jacksonville to the southeast.
With federal money behind the plan, the Governor thinks this can finally get done.
"The impediment for states all along has been that this is such a massive project," he says. "Within a balanced budget state amendment, it's never been attainable for me."
What others are saying
- A lot of responses from stupid people...First of all, Atlanta was built on rail -- obviously you can see the power of investing in something like this. All the people saying we can't afford it don't think about the amount of growth this INVESTMENT will bring. Atlanta is in a position to continue being a Southern rail hub. Do you want that to go to Charlotte? Should we give the federal money to someone else? It will also help your land value in counties it goes through.
Secondly, the roads in metro Atlanta are great, but an arterial system. Adding more lanes isn't going to help. For roads - if you build it, they (more people) will come to fill them. Look at Cobb Parkway if you want proof. Between I-75 and Cobb Parkway, that has to be something like 20-30 lanes. Still bumper to bumper.
Finally, to transform Atlanta into a city that values public transit, all modes of rail will be needed.
The argument about people coming here to loot from New Orleans is stupid. That's like what people said when MARTA was built, on a smaller scale. Looks like Buckhead is in pretty good shape to me. They can drive here anyway.
By the way, it will also be kind of nice to take a high speed rail to Savannah and not have to get on the highway when heading there for a weekend. - Roads and IntersectionsJust a few months ago we heard fed and
state DOT are out of $ for current and
future projects. Before we spend a penny
on ANY other projects, lets fix the on-
going projects! Two lanes to four, red
lights, not stop signs etc. ATL and
burbs traffic are worst in the nation.
Like putting shiny chrome hubcaps on
a $500 car... - Hi SylviaThere's really nothing forward thinking at all about rail service to either DC or NO out of Atlanta. Southern Railways ran the Crescent for years to both places until it just wasn't economically worthwhile. Same for the Nancy Hanks that ran from Savannah to Atlanta.
When the day arrives that a private company sees an opportunity to run trains all over the place, the good news will be that the tracks are already in place.
The government has no business fooling with it in the first place. - hat in hand Perdue, oh sonny boy can I buy a beer Sunday?All these cons are the same: Mr we dont like federal spending, we dont want federal strings, we dont want federal dollar help. What a class A clown.
- Earth-to-NaysayersIt's backward-thinking citizens like you that have kept Georgia from moving forward in the past. Please stop worrying about WHO'S coming HERE on the train and think about all the places YOU can GO without spending extra time and an arm and a leg! Think positive, folks, positive!
- But Don't Drink The WaterAre you kidding! We need new water sources then maybe a high speed railHey we are going to bring'em in quicker but no water to drink. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB Idea.
- High Speed to N.O. or D.C.If I want high speed travel to N.O. or D.C., I'll just fly. A plane is faster than any train.
- Rail Service Talk Again...and Again....Did WSB not report on similar stories since 1978? Anyone else remember the electro magnetic rail scheme? The Athens to Atlanta rail? All talk, a lot of money spent on studies, and no action.
Can we get an affordable rail system like Metro Chicago to the outlaying areas? Athens, Augusta, Savannah, Macon, Columbus, etc. Rail lines are already in place. - Blow that DoughSo I guess the GA space program is on hold now?
Would allowing the taxpayers to just keep some of their own money be such a crazy pie-in-the-sky idea that we can't even consider it? - RailAre you kidding...Earth to Sonny - have you ever thought about rail service along I-75 and I-85 into Altnata - guess that's on the GDOT's 2050 plan..
- Is this a good idea???Oh yes!!! You just gotta love the idea of New Orleans scum getting here even quicker to commence looting and robbing. I think we have seen enough of these people to know that we do not need high speed rail bringing them into town in droves. Change.......
advertisement
WSB 24-Hour Weather Center
Get the 5-day Forecast .
Atlanta weather
Fair68°F
5-day forecast | Hurricane Guide
advertisement
Marketplace
"How to Build Your Financial Future" Online Seminar sponsored by Associated Credit Union. Details
advertisement
Shop for cars, find a dealer, and get the latest automotive news in our Local Car Buying Guide powered by AutoTrader.com
From fast food to fine dining, find it all in our Local Business Directory .
Stay ahead of the storm. Find evacuation routes, safety tips and more in the Hurricane Guide.
Read the AJC and stay on top of everything in Atlanta! Get delivery for less than $2 a week!
Join Channel 2 Action News anchors John Pruitt and Monica Pearson at 5, 6, and 11pm.
© All Media Guide, LLC. Portions of content provided by All Music Guide®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. 