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State Board Delays Rail Line Vote

Posted on: Saturday, 20 August 2005, 00:00 CDT

Aug. 19--The Georgia Transportation Board put at least another month between itself and a decision on a commuter rail line south from Atlanta, opting to hold a public hearing on the matter Sept. 14.

Tensions were on display at the board's monthly meeting Thursday as supporters of the line, who had hoped for an up-or-down vote, accused the board of delaying tactics. Those who favored a hearing said the unresolved issues were too important to let slide and that they needed clarity on the details before approving the project.

Dana Lemon, a member of the board who favors the line, said the hearing would be redundant. "We've been stalling on our decision for many, many months," she said. "I don't see an end to the discussion. At some point we're going to have to make a decision."

The public already has been invited to 10 meetings, and comments from them were available if the board requested them.

Board member Garland Pinholster, who chairs the committee handling the issue and who urged the delay, said previous meetings were different. This one would be held in the presence of board members, he said, and it would be geared to data rather than opinion. "I have not heard academic presentations," said Pinholster, explaining that he was "looking for real information, not feelings."

The hot topic under discussion was the draft contract signed by Clayton County Chairman Eldrin Bell. Several contract details in the deal were made public just this week after an open records request by state Rep. Steve Davis (R-McDonough) pried loose draft contracts from DOT's negotiations.

In the draft approved by Clayton County, which the DOT is still considering, the county would cover the estimated annual shortfall of $4 million in the line's operating and maintenance budget.

It was unclear how many of the various contracts' details would have to be settled before the board would agree to vote, but two major issues stoked discussion.

DOT officials noted that it was still not clear how Norfolk Southern Railway Co., which owns the tracks, will pay for up to $8 million in needed work on a piece of the track in downtown Atlanta that it uses with CSX.

The Clayton County contract seemed to generate the most concern, as some board members complained that it did not settle whether the state would have to pay back the federal government's investment in the line if the county backed out and abandoned it.

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Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

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