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Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue recently authorized $4 million in bonds to match $21 million in federal funds earmarked for the $281.5 million Macon-Griffin-Atlanta Commuter Train. Funds will be used to manage the project, purchase equipment, complete engineering and acquire property for stations.

In 1998, Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century legislation earmarked $29 million for the 104-mile route. Last spring, Georgia Department of Transportation matched $8 million of those funds with $2 million in state bonds.

The route would run on Norfolk Southern Railway’s tracks; Georgia DOT has been in lease negotiations with the Class I for two years. The train is expected to carry 1.5 million passengers annually.

The Macon-Griffin-Atlanta Commuter Train is part of the Georgia Rail Passenger Program, which includes seven commuter-rail routes.