Federal and State Agencies Begin Environmental Review of Multi Modal Passenger Terminal
April 3,2012
The Georgia Department of Transportation announced today that, in partnership with federal agencies, it has officially begun preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed Georgia MultiModal Passenger Terminal (MMPT) – a key initial step toward the project’s development.
The Environmental Protection Agency, on behalf of the Federal Transit Administration and Georgia DOT, has released a Notice of Intent advising of the EIS process and seeking community input.
Public comment is sought on the need and purpose of the project, alternatives and their potential impacts which are all part of the EIS. Public meetings will be held on:
Tuesday, April 24: 4-7 p.m., Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, The Freight Room, 65 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SE, Atlanta;
Tuesday, May 1: 11a.m.-2 p.m., Georgia State University Student Center, Court Salon, 44 Gilmer Street, Atlanta;
Thursday, May 3: 4-7 p.m., Antioch Baptist Church North, 540 Cameron M. Alexander Blvd, NW, Atlanta.
The Georgia MMPT will bring together various ground and rail transit services in a centralized downtown location to create a vital transportation connection for Metro Atlanta and all of Georgia. The MMPT will serve as a hub for existing and proposed transportation networks, including the existing MARTA rail and bus systems, the regional express bus systems, and the Georgia railroad network.
The EIS process is an essential component of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It will reflect the evaluation ofand proposed action to mitigate potential environmental effects of alternative development at the site of the proposed Georgia MMPT to be located in downtown Atlanta in an area known locally as the “Gulch”. Alternatives to be developed for the project will seek to provide a facility to serve as a destination and transfer point for a variety of regional and local transportation services, improve passenger and freight connectivity within downtown Atlanta, and attract new or renewed investment in a transit-centered environment.
For details on the meetings, or to learn more about the MMPT project, visit www.dot.ga.gov/mmpt, or via Facebook: www.facebook.com/georgiammpt, or Twitter: www.twitter.com/#/georgiammpt,
The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment.