The Georgia Department of Transportation is initiating environmental and engineering studies for a high-speed ground transportation system between Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta and Chattanooga.

To kick off the study, GDOT is hosting a series of “scoping meetings” to help determine the range of issues to be addressed in the environmental review, officials said.

A public meeting is set for next Thursday from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Bicentennial Library.

Officials said, "Everyone is invited to attend the meetings. Information and materials will be the same at each meeting."

Other meetings are:

Atlanta (Powder Springs): Tuesday, Sept. 18, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
McEachern High School, 2400 New Macland Road

Rome: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Rome Civic Center, 400 Civic Center Dr.

The study "will examine high-speed ground transportation alternatives that can provide competitive travel times between Atlanta and Chattanooga."

The study will result in preliminary engineering and a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement for the deployment of a project in the 110-mile corridor, it was stated.

Officials said, "The scoping meetings will provide an overview of the project and give agencies and the public an opportunity to clearly define the environmental issues and alternatives to be examined in the environmental review process. These meetings will help ensure that the EIS will be structured to better address public and agency concerns and help lead to better decisions.

"The study alternatives to-date include magnetic levitation (Maglev) and steel wheel technology. The three-year Tier 1 EIS study will be conducted under the direction of the Federal Railroad Administration and the Federal Highway Administration with GDOT as the lead state agency.

"The Tier 1 EIS will build on previous studies of Maglev and steel wheel HSGT concepts prepared by the Atlanta Regional Commission in 1999. The Tier 1 EIS will define the purpose and need for the project, analyze location and technology alternatives, estimate potential ridership, recommend an initial operating section, estimate capital costs, identify general station locations, and identify possible implementation phasing."

Officials said the HSGT study will soon be launching a website that will have a calendar for the study including public meetings, contact information for providing comments and requesting presentations, information about the status of the project, and plans and photographs. Details about the new website will be announced soon.