GDOT wins $4 million high-speed rail grant to study Atlanta-Charlotte route

Hours after the Environmental Protection Agency slapped the Georgia Department of Transportation with one of its largest penalties ever for polluting streams, a different federal agency awarded the state more than $4 million to study high-speed rail service between Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C. Silly federal government! Via the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration:

“With America’s population set to grow by 100 million over the next 40 years, high-speed rail will play a vital role in reducing congestion and meeting America’s long-term transportation challenges,” said Secretary LaHood. “High speed rail projects like these in Georgia, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C., will employ local workers, use American-made materials and lay a strong foundation for future economic growth.”

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) received a $4.1 million grant to complete a service development plan and environmental study for the 250 mile passenger rail corridor between Atlanta and Charlotte. GDOT is contributing $1.125 million for this phase of the project. GDOT recently announced a new Multi-Modal Passenger Terminal in downtown Atlanta, which is being designed to accommodate high-speed rail service.

But wait — isn't high-speed rail dead?