State approves high speed rail grant applications

Georgia's State Transportation Board Thursday voted unanimously to support applications for federal high speed rail funds to develop a route, called the "Capital-Coastal" loop, connecting Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Savannah and Macon. The board also approved applications for the Atlanta-Charlotte and Atlanta-Macon lines and to update the state rail plan. "These grants will enable the department to complete the environment documents necessary for us to move forward in designing and further developing future passenger rail corridors," said Board Chairman Bill Kuhlke Jr. "The Capital - Coastal Loop in particular would provide connectivity and travel choices to several key economic centers. By completing these plans now, Georgia will be well positioned to take advantage of federal funds for design, right-of-way or even construction." The four grant applications, totaling $16.5 million, would come from the Federal Railroad Administration. Any funds received would require a 20 percent match from the state and local governments along the corridors.
In other business, the Board recognized the department for receiving GOLD LEED certification for its headquarters at One Georgia Center in Atlanta and LEED Certification for the Georgia DOT District 3 office in Thomaston. LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

More Local

Skate park project moves forward

A skate park in Grantville is one step closer to reality. Rob Jones of American Ramp Company in Joplin, Mo., talked with council members abo ... Read More

Published on Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Woman injured in April wreck dies

A 67-year-old woman critically injured in a wreck in Senoia last month has died. Lynda Adcock’s vehicle was struck by a tractor-traile ... Read More

Published on Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Coweta schools name new principals

New principals at Ruth Hill Elementary School and Smokey Road Middle School have been appointed for the 2013-2014 school year by the Coweta ... Read More

Published on Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Grantville approves new maps

The Grantville City Council has approved new zoning maps and comprehensive plan maps. Brennan Jones, zoning administrator, talked with the c ... Read More

Published on Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Times-Herald launches redesign

Today marks the start of major changes to The Newnan Times-Herald.  First off is a new redesign, one we have been working on for severa ... Read More

Published on Wednesday, May 22, 2013