News Staff Report
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) will hold a series of public meetings concerning the “Montgomery – Mobile Passenger Rail Feasibility Study Phase II” (the “Study”). Meetings will be held in Mobile, Atmore and Montgomery.
The meeting in Atmore will be held Wednesday, November 14, 6 p.m., at the Atmore City Auditorium, 201 E. Louisville Avenue.
One meeting will be held the night before in Mobile, Tuesday, November 13, 6 p.m., at the Government Plaza Multi-Purpose Room, 205 Government Street.
The third meeting will be held in Montgomery, Thursday, November 15, 6 p.m., City Hall Auditorium, 103 North Perry Street.
The State of Alabama, by and through ADECA and its Community and Economic Development Division, is preparing a feasibility study (the Study) concerning the return of passenger rail service to the former “Gulf Breeze” corridor between Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile. The Study is being completed in two phases: Phase I pertains to passenger rail service between Birmingham and Montgomery, and Phase II pertains to passenger rail service between Montgomery and Mobile.
The purpose of the Study’s Phase II is to assess the feasibility of passenger rail service between Montgomery and Mobile, and to determine the necessary elements needed to implement such service. The Study will also consider the combined effects of passenger rail service along the corridor, with rail connections to existing and proposed east-west Amtrak lines in Birmingham and Mobile.
Each public meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The public is invited to attend anytime during these hours at each location on the dates listed above. This public meeting will be held in an open house style format, where citizens will be allowed to review project information and make comments and give input. There will be no formal presentations at these public meetings; however, the public will be allowed opportunities to make verbal comments about the project, and a court reporter will be available to record all such comments. Written statements concerning the Study may also be made. Such written statements will be accepted through noon on Friday, January 4, 2019, and must be submitted to:
Kathleen A. Rasmussen, Ph.D.
Statewide Initiatives Unit Chief
Community and Economic Development Division
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
Post Office Box 5690
Montgomery, AL 36103-5690
Written statements may also be emailed to Kathleen.rasmussen@adeca.alabama.gov by the January 4, 2019 deadline.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information: The meeting sites are accessible to persons with disabilities.
If you have a disability that might require special services, materials, or assistance, please notify Ms. Teresa Nobles of ADECA by calling 334-242-0492 or by emailing at Teresa.nobles@adeca.alabama.gov by noon on Thursday, November 8.