SAVANNAH, Ga () — Savannah Mayor Van Johnson responded to the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) proposed intercity rail service that would connect Savannah and Atlanta.

GDOT’s study will evaluate the benefits, cost and overall impact of a rail corridor between the two cities. It’s part of the federal Railroad Administration Corridor Identification and Development Program. 

GDOT announced they received $8 million in federal funding, with an additional $2 million from the state’s rail budget, bringing that to a total of $10 million for the study.

Mayor Johnson told he is looking ahead to what this will mean economically.

“For us, it’s also a tourism factor,” Johnson said. “You know, people can come here. Air prices…  I’ve always been very upset about the cost of air from Savannah directly to Atlanta.”

According to GDOT, there have not been recent passenger rail studies showing the best route between Atlanta and Savannah. They said Georgia has seen consistent growth and travel demand, which puts strains on the existing systems like air and car travel.

“It provides cost affordable options for us,” Johnson said. “It allows work. Connectivity is important, particularly as you look at the viability of our ports, our airports. Rail is really the way for us to be able to connect us.”

Cities also included in this study are Athens, Statesboro, Milledgeville, Macon, Augusta and more.

“Ultimately, we want to go from Savannah to Nashville.”

GDOT is still taking feedback. Visit here to take their survey.