If they are thinking of putting an HSR on an interstate without an adequate medium strip, possibly they are thinking of an elevated structure over the highway? Hmmm.
Georgia DOT furnished $300,000 & local Columbus, Ga persons another $50,000 to study HSR ATL - CSG. At present there has been no access to the report but a very brief summary in the attached link listed 3 options.
1. Emerging ( 79 -- 110 MPH ) ATL - LaGrange - CSG for $1.3B.
2. Regional ( 110- 150 ) along I-85 & I-185 $2.2 B.
3. Express ( ( 150 + ) $3.9B
4. Listed as one stop either Newnan or LaGrange ?
AS usual consultant probably did not study all the construction problems or ridership needs.
5. Any route needs to be extended south of CSG 5 miles into Ft. Benning. The expansion of the base is going to have many based soldiers needing transportation that is now covered by busses especially when all overseas soldiers finally return..
6. Use of I-85 is now almost impossible as there is no center median and either side is well built up. But now I-185 from I-85 can be used with some curve modifications either on sides or on center median till MP 10 and join to downtown CSG on old Cof G ROW which is capable of 2 tracks.
7. CSX route to LGC has many problems.
a. 3 mile section just north of ATL airport is single track very constrained by grade crossings and roads on both sides.
b. A stop at the ATL airport very possible because station would interchange at 90 degrees to the airport people mover from terminal to rental car facility.
c. The whole CSX ( old A&WP ) route is limited to a top speed of 50 MPH ( freight & OCS ). This limit is due to the sub grade being very poor ( built before civil war ) needing more surfacing that other more modern ROWs. The whole ROW would have to be rebuilt.
d. As well south of Fairburn / Union city the route is too curvy and would have to be straightened. Many overpasses would be needed as well especially in Newnan, Grantville, and Hogansville.
e. To access I-185 a split off between Hogansville & LaGrange would be the best.
f. Emerging line could branch off to LaGrange at this split with a station located at the wye of the Manchester line with another track about 2 miles to I-185.
g. CSX reluctance to allow any Hr SR much less HSR on ROW would require separate tracks.
Any way until read the report appears to be another pipe dream !!!!
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2014/01/08/2890329/consultants-deem-high-speed-rail.html
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