The Georgia Department of Transportation said Tuesday it and federal agencies have officially begun preparation of an environmental impact statement on the proposed multi-modal passenger terminal in Atlanta.
Public comments are being sought during three meetings scheduled in the weeks ahead.
The EIS will evaluate environmental effects of a project and propose mitigation strategies.
The multi-modal project will bring together various ground and rail transit services in a central downtown location to create a transportation connection for metro Atlanta and all of Georgia.
It will serve as a hub for existing and proposed transportation networks, including the existing Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, or MARTA, rail and bus systems, regional express bus systems, and a future Georgia railroad network.
GDOT is partnering with a development team to conceptualize a master plan for the terminal area.
The planning and environmental process is expected to conclude in early 2014. Construction could begin as early as the fall of 2014.
The master development team is led by Forest City Enterprises, the Integral Group, and Cousins Properties. HNTB Corp. is leading the environmental team.
The project is expected to be constructed as a public-private partnership. No cost estimates or funding sources have been released.
Details about the project and upcoming meetings are available at
