Could commuter rail be a possibility for Tucker? The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) are seeking public comment on the Tier I Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the extension of the Southeast High-Speed Rail (SEHSR) corridor from Charlotte, North Carolina to Atlanta, a project of the Passenger Rail Corridor Investment Plan (PRCIP). The public is encouraged to participate and comment online.

The purpose of the Atlanta to Charlotte High-Speed Rail corridor is to improve intercity passenger travel between Atlanta and Charlotte by expanding the region’s transportation system capacity and improving trip time and reliability through high-speed passenger rail services. The corridor is also an important extension to the planned HighSpeed Rail corridor system which will connect Washington DC, Richmond VA and Charlotte, NC. When complete, it will improve capacity and travel times, provide an alternative to other modes of travel, enhance energy efficiency, promote economic development, and increase traveler safety.

The plan lays out three primary options for the proposed Atlanta to Charlotte corridor: The Crescent, I-85, and Greenfield lines. Both the Greenfield line, which runs through Athens, and the I-85 line, which runs through Commerce, could potentially have a station in Tucker. The proposed location of the Tucker station is in the Tucker-Northlake CID, in the Northlake District, parallel to the CSX tracks.

The agency and public comment period for the Tier 1 DEIS is open until November 4, 2019. Comments can be made via the online comment form.