DeKalb again pushes for I-20 rail project

By April Hunt

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A day before a forum to let residents offer their take, the DeKalb County Commission voted Tuesday on what it wants: Another $297 million to fully fund a rail line in south DeKalb.

The draft list already includes the first $225 million for the I-20 rail project, which would cover engineering work and park and ride stations for expected rail stops on the proposed line from the Indian Creek MARTA station to Wesley Chapel Road. Tuesday's resolution calls for the additional money -- to get the train line built on that 5-mile stretch.

“It is something,” Commissioner Lee May said. “However, $225 million is not enough to produce one track of rail in south DeKalb.”

The I-20 train line is one of 18 projects in DeKalb of the 150 included on the draft list released in August.

The regional roundtable is expected to cull that list into a final proposal by Oct. 15.

DeKalb residents can give their input from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Dr., Decatur.