High Speed Rail Grant Puts Georgia on the Right Track

Media Releases

Georgia PIRG

The U.S. DOT has made a key new investment in high-speed rail in Georgia, recognizing the importance of building a world-class rail network and boosting short-term job growth.

The Southeast corridor will connect Charlotte to Atlanta, providing Georgia residents with a convenient, reliable alternative to congested roadways and airports. It will reduce our dependence on oil and make Georgia a more attractive place to do business. 

Eventually, the Southeast corridor will spread from Washington D.C. through the Carolinas into Atlanta and Birmingham, Alabama.

The federal high-speed rail grants received overwhelming interest across the country, with 77 applications from 25 states requesting a total of $8.5 billion.

“Congress should back up this investment with long-term, dedicated funding for high-speed rail in the next transportation bill to ensure that high-speed rail stays on track,” said Stephanie Ali, Georgia PIRG program associate.

“Not only is high-speed rail a better way to get around, it’s also a tremendous opportunity for economic development and job creation — not just with building the system, but the transit-oriented development that happens once it’s up and running,” said Becky Johnson, Public Affairs Director for Siemens Mobility.  

Siemens currently operates a plant in Norcross, Georgia that could see expansion if high speed rail comes through Georgia. 

On Tuesday, Dec. 21, Georgia PIRG released a report entitled “A Track Record of Success,” detailing the lessons we can learn from the success of high speed rail in Europe and Asia. “Rail must be part of a comprehensive and integrated transportation network for the US to remain competitive in the global marketplace,” Johnson added.