73448 news 1251072000 1475896246 <![CDATA[Megaregion leaders agree on rail, bridge]]> Bruce Henderson, Charlotte Observer

Local public officials and academic figures from the Piedmont Atlanta Region (PAM) gathered in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, August 12th to discuss the future of the region. PAM includes major metropolitan cities spanning from Raleigh, NC to Birmingham, AL, and is delineated by interstates 20 & 85. PAM is one of eight megaregions nationwide that are defined by population growth and economic activity.

Dr. Catherine Ross, transportation expert, director of the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development at Georgia Tech, and editor of "Megaregions: Planning for Global Competitiveness", emphasized on the need to plan on a regional scale; as PAM is interrelated in terms of water, transportation and energy. These topics were the main focus of the meeting. The meeting also discussed high-speed rail as a joint planning effort. Academic institutions such as Georgia Tech would provide the research base needed to disseminate and resolve issues pertaining to the region. The next meeting was scheduled for October, where a long-range plan would be hatched.

]]> 2009-08-13T00:00:00-04:00 Michelle Marcus
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Contact Michelle Marcus]]>
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