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Federal Document Clearing House
Congressional Testimony
December 6, 2000, Wednesday
SECTION: CAPITOL HILL HEARING TESTIMONY
LENGTH: 3800 words
COMMITTEE:
SENATE COMMERCE, SCIENCE AND TRANSPORTATION
HEADLINE: TESTIMONY RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE (F. H.)
TESTIMONY-BY: C. JACK ELLIS , MAYOR
AFFILIATION: MACON, GEORGIA
BODY:
December 6, 2000 Testimony of C. Jack Ellis,
Mayor City of Macon, Georgia Hearing on Rail Passenger Transportation Services
Presented To the U.S. Congressional Committee on Commerce, Science and
Transportation Senator Cleland, Governor Barnes, Secretary Slater and my fellow
mayors, I am C. Jack Ellis, Mayor of the City of Macon, Ga. I appreciate the
opportunity to present testimony this afternoon in support of high-speed rail in
Georgia in general and between the City of Atlanta and the City of Macon, in
particular. Needs and Opportunities There are many reasons that I believe that a
high-speed rail system would be good for our state. First, everyday hundreds of
Maconites and residents of the Middle Georgia region make the approximate
180-mile drive round trip to Atlanta to take advantage of the many employment
opportunities in the metro Atlanta area. Many other residents in the middle
Georgia region make the same trip at least once during the week to conduct
business in the Atlanta area; enjoy Atlanta's cultural, entertainment venues;
see doctors; attend classes or engage in other activities. While not in the same
volume, yet, residents of the metro Atlanta area are increasingly travelling to
Macon and the middle Georgia region for some of the same reasons. High-speed
rail would provide a more efficient, reliable and safer mode of transportation
than is currently available to those who must travel between these two centers
of our state; and it would do so in a manner that would be more environmental
friendly. In addition, high-speed rail would provide increased mobility for
students, senior citizens, disabled persons and other non-driving populations in
these areas of our state. The result would be improved mobility and access to
the Atlanta for thousands of the state's citizens who currently spend countless
hours in their automobiles to get to their destination, which causes traffic
congestion and degrades our air quality. Second, I support high-speed rail
because it will help make us as a nation less dependent on foreign oil supplies.
The increased gasoline prices several months ago because of supply cut backs by
OPEC was a rude awakening to us of our vulnerability in this regard and made us
aware once again (as we were made aware in the 1970's) of the adverse impact
that such dependency can have on us economically. For example, the average price
of a gallon of regular gas before the price hikes was approximately $0.90.
Currently, it is approximately $1.40. For the Macon or middle Georgia resident
that must drive between Macon and Atlanta, as well as other Americans who lack
alternative forms of effective and efficient transportation, this represents a
reduction in their standard of living that many can least afford. An Editorial
in the Monday's edition of the Atlanta Constitution makes the point that as the
cost of transportation increases, less is left to spend on "health care, food,
entertainment and personal care products and services-quality of life
expenditures." Third, high-speed rail would improve Georgia's ability to compete
in the global market place. Through connecting the state's metropolitan regions,
high-speed rail would allow Georgia to be viewed as one seamless market by
companies desiring to do business in the state. After flying into Hartsfield
Atlanta International Airport, businesses would have efficient and effective
transportation via high-speed rail (a mode of Transportation that is quite
common throughout Europe) to the other commercial centers of the state.
High-speed rail connecting Atlanta and Macon also has the potential to serve
another important strategic national objective- relieving the congestion at the
nation's busiest airports. In the state of Georgia, we are blessed with the
busiest airport in the World-the Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport.
However, like many airports around the country, in order for Hartsfield to
continue to accommodate growth in passenger air transportation, it must expand.
Such expansion is expensive and it can be disruptive to surrounding
neighborhoods and communities. In addition, the expansion will take several
years to complete. For example, Atlanta is about to undertake the construction
of the Fifth Runway project to relieve some of the congestion Hartsfield is
experiencing. However, it will be five to six years before this project is
completed and the relief can be provided. The congestion cries out for a
solution today. I believe that the City of Macon can be a major part of the
solution to Hartsfield's growing pains in the short- term. In the City of Macon,
we are in the process updating our airport master plan and undertaking an
approximately two million renovation of our airport terminal building.
Currently, we have sufficient runway capacity to accommodate smaller jet traffic
and we will be seeking funding to expand the capacity of our runways to handle
larger jets. High- speed rail between Atlanta and Macon would enable the state
to optimize the use of an underutilized existing resource to help solve the air
traffic congestion at Hartsfield, which is of local, regional and national
interest. Fourth, and extremely important to us in the Macon and middle Georgia
region, high-speed rail supports Governor Barnes' One Georgia -Initiative.
High-speed rail has the potential to make Governor Barnes vision of making
economic opportunity accessible to all of Georgia a reality. Because of its
central location in our state, I believe that the City of Macon is uniquely and
strategically positioned to be the conduit through which economic growth and
development can be generated and made accessible to the far reaches of the
middle and southern part of our state. Macon is the shopping, medical, banking,
educational and cultural center of the Middle Georgia region. In addition, Macon
is the second largest rail hub in the Southeast; and we are the last stop on the
proposed Southeast Corridor. As part of the One Georgia Initiative, the state
has already begun to build a foundation for this growth and development in this
region the state. These include the Secretary of State Office building, the
Georgia Sports and Music halls of fame, the State's Agricultural Center in
Perry, Georgia. We in Macon and Middle Georgia appreciate these developments and
we applaud our State officials for their commitment to the One Georgia
Initiative. High-speed rail will ensure that the returns on these investments by
the State are maximized; and it will make more palpable the transfer of
additional state offices and institutions to the Macon and the Middle Georgia
region. As future decisions are made regarding the location of government
offices and institutions, we encourage the State, as well as the Federal
government, to give favorable consideration to Macon and the Middle Georgia
region. Challenges As with all opportunities, there are challenges that must be
overcome for the opportunities to be realized. Some of the challenges that I
believe must be overcome to make high-speed rail in Georgia a reality are as
follows: The system must be designed and built in a manner that makes it an
attractive alternative to the automobile commute. In this regard, the system of
high-speed rail must have the following elements: Competitive fares Travel time
that is comparable to the commute via automobile Connection to a seamless
inter-modal system on each end of the Atlanta-Macon high-speed corridor. To the
extent feasible, the objective should be to have a one-fare system so that a
passenger may go from one mode of transportation to another without the
inconvenience of multiple ticketing. - Consummating an agreement with Norfolk
Southern to share use of their existing rail. - Upgrading rail crossings in a
timely manner. Funding Concerns As regards funding, I would ask that the
following concerns be considered: In the City of Macon/Bibb County and the State
of Georgia are working together to create a waterfront in the Downtown Macon
that will include the Ocmulgee Heritage Greenway (a seven mile riverwalk) and a
multi- million mixed used development. The Norfolk Southern H line that runs
between downtown and the water's edge blocks effective access to the Ocmulgee
River's southern riverfront and poses as a barrier to this development. The
waterfront development is seen as an opportunity to create significant economic
catalysts in the revitalization of the historical, cultural and economic Center
City of the region. Fortunately, an unprecedented window of opportunity has
opened. FTA and G-DOT propose to redevelop and expand the 116/175 interchange
and widen I- 16. At the same time, the Program Management Team is considering
this part of the Norfolk Southern 'H' Line as an entranceway for inter-city
passenger rail from Atlanta to Macon. The late Frank Pinkston requested that
G-DOT prepare an alternative concept of the I- 75/1-16 expansion that would
include the relocation of these two miles of railroad. Senator Cleland has been
appraised of the initiative and even the late Senator Coverdale expressed
support for the relocation in one of his last letters written to us. Chairman
Justice and I have requested of Harry Dixon his support of a relocation
feasibility study. Roy Fickling has requested that GRPA consult with G-DOT about
the mutual benefits of relocation, and recently Tommy Olmstead, our new Chairman
of the County Commission, has pledged his support and will use his influence for
support from the State. Moreover, very importantly, Norfolk Southern has
described itself as open to the possibility. G-DOT through Moreland-Altobelli
did suggest a futuristic concept that would reroute the rail 26 miles around
Macon but would be many years in development with significant expense. The
two-mile relocation across the river was never in G-DOT's scope of work or
budget; therefore, feasibility and expense were not quantified. Hence, our
request of the State for the study. The feasibility and cost estimates will
include both rail relocation and road modifications to accommodate the rail. At
Senator Cleland's recent "Smart Growth Task Force," Governor Barnes ably
described the importance of "synthesis" in transportation and land use planning.
The Macon community, through New Town Macon, has asked the Governor to consider
a detailed study by Moreland-Altobelli to estimate the feasibility and cost to
relocate two miles of Norfolk Southern 'H' line railroad that blocks effective
access to the Ocinulgee River's southern riverfront in the heart of our city.
This proposal requests a detailed study of the relocation of the rail line to
the opposite or north side of the river, integrating the new rail line with
G-DOT and FTA's planned expansion of the 1-16 interstate. By quantifying the
cost, the study will provide guidance to evaluate the cost/benefits of the
relocation and effectively weigh the financing alternatives. This smart growth
strategy will allow those given the responsibilities of improving both
transportation and land use in our city, county, region, state and nation the
opportunity to pool resources and expertise to insure wise development along
Macon and Middle Georgia's birth canal, the Ocmulgee River. If this two miles of
rail were relocated, the result would do nothing less than transform our city
forever. The expense and complications should be seen from the perspective of
Middle Georgians today and the many future generations whose quality of life and
economic opportunities will be improved. The relocation of the active rail
allows a "rails to trails" for the Ocmulgee Heritage Greenway, our 7 mile
river-walk, spurs economic development for our public-private partnerships' $25
Million mixed-use Riverside Development, and improves access to one of Georgia's
greatest natural resources, the Ocmulgee River. In addition, there are other
benefits of relocation, such as improved freight and possible
passenger rail efficiency. -Extend the high-speed line from
Macon the Macon Regional Airport. The extension will support initiatives
underway to attract a major air carrier to the airport and enhance its viability
as a reliever airport for Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport. Initially,
the extension was included, but then deleted. The extension should be
re-instated. -Rethink the use of the gas tax exclusively for road improvement.
It is time we reconsidered earmarking the gas tax for a particular mode of
transportation and used it to support a comprehensive transportation system that
would inclade mass transportation, high-speed rail, as well as, road
improvements. I believe that this is justified on the basis that high-speed rail
will generate positive externalities that will accrue to all of our citizens. I
further believe that this new perspective would be consistent with GDOT
commitment to "take a fresh look at how to best to meet the transportation needs
of the State of Georgia for the new millennium by updating the Statewide
Transportation Plan." Provide additional funding for mass transportation at the
federal level. In the City of Macon, we provide an annual subsidy to our public
bus system of approximately $1.2 million. However, this is insufficient to
enable our bus system to expand into the areas of our county where many of the
jobs are. Public transportation to these areas is of vital importance if we are
to implement successfully the Work Force Investment Initiative and Welfare-to
Work. Again, thank you for allowing me to speak today, and share with you the
growing excitement Middle Georgians are developing as the opportunities of
passenger rail and the related transportation oriented development are
described. The Macon and Middle Georgia community plan to work together with
federal, state, and regional partners, both public and private, to promote and
enhance economic opportunities through passenger and freight
rail, mitigate environmental emissions by implementing a viable and more
efficient means of transportation, and relieve automobile congestion and
actually enhance our road systems' viability by supporting alternative forms of
transportation. I look forward to your consideration and guidance in these
matters to which the continued growth and development of our state and region
are intricately bound.
LOAD-DATE: December 13, 2000,
Wednesday 
