Our friend, Tim Evans, with the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and the Hall County Development Authority, has filed a formal request with the US Army Corps of Engineers to construct a “rail intermodal facility” in North Hall County that appears to be located across the Chattahoochee River from Don Carter State Park.
A link to the formal proposal to create a “rail intermodal facility ” north of the intersection of White Sulphur Road and Hillcrest Drive in the City of Gainesville” is listed below.
What is a Rail Intermodal Facility?
After reading the entire proposal, I’m still not sure — but it sounds like a rail yard to me. That’s where trucks load and unload cargo onto and from trains. Read this next section to see if you agree.
The applicant proposes to construct a rail intermodal facility which would include unloading facilities, parking, transfer truck turnarounds, employee common areas, and other support facilities.
Specifically, the project would include: four lead tracks connecting the facility to the adjoining Norfolk Southern main rail line; intermodal offload facility with several intermodal cranes; approximately 2.5-miles of circulation roadway; approximately 4.5-miles of yard and storage tracks; approximately 12-acres of container storage; 30-feet of fill, on average, at a 2H: 1V earth fill slope; small administration building and parking; and, one secure checkpoint for truck entrance/exit…
Not that anyone has asked my opinion, but this industrial facility across from the only State Park on Lake Lanier probably will not enhance the wilderness experience of those who seek refuge at Don Carter State Park.
The formal request was dated December 27, 2018. Would you like to slow down, oppose or comment on this project? Not a problem. You have 30 days from that date to make your move.
Here’s how. As the French would say, “Bon chance!”
Public Hearing: Any person may request, in writing, within the comment period specified in this notice, that a public hearing be held to consider this application for a Department of the Army permit. Requests for public hearings shall state, with particularity, the reasons for requesting a public hearing. The decision whether to hold a public hearing is at the discretion of the District Engineer, or his designated appointee, based on the need for additional substantial information necessary in evaluating the proposed project.
Comment Period: Anyone wishing to comment on this application for a Department of the Army Permit should submit comments in writing to the Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Attention: Mr. Blake Brannon, 1590 Adamson Parkway, Suite 200, Morrow, Georgia 30260-1777, no later than 30 days from the date of this notice.
Please refer to the applicant’s name and the application number in your comments. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Mr. Blake Brannon, Project Manager, at (678) 422-6570.
Click HERE to Download the Rail Intermodal Facility Request
