If you've ever been stuck in slow-moving traffic between Chattanooga and Atlanta, you need to know its going to get worse.
Transportation experts say in a few years, travelers will be demanding a better way to get there.
That's the reason for high-speed rail lines now under study in the southeast.
Instead of the crowded skies, you may be making a 45 minute trip to Atlanta or Nashville on a high-speed train.
It's a project that's been in the works for years, using either Magnetic-Levitation trains that can travel at 280 miles an hour, or just high-speed trains that go 180 miles an hour.
China and Japan have used them for years.
The U.S. Is playing catch-up.
JOE FERGUSON, SPECIAL PROJECTS, THE ENTERPRISE CENTER "The initial corridor that we're working on is the Atlanta airport to the Chattanooga airport. Georgia department of transportation is the lead agency...and all of this id determined by the Feds."
It's complicated because of various studies that are necessary before construction of such a transportation system can begin.
SEN. JEFF MULLIS, CHAIRMAN, THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE "With all the requirements of the federal government..that it takes a while to get there." "I hope the motivation is still there..it is with me."
Practically speaking, a high-speed line could be put in place along the I-75 right-of-way to Atlanta, far less expensive that buying land and easements.
Individual transportation costs are also a big factor.
JEFF MULLIS "The price of gas goes up..which it will again eventually. And I'm sure it will one day be extremely high." "When that happens to America, and people in the southeast particularly..they're going to demand for alternative modes of transportation."
Ferguson says it will probably take a combination of public and private money to make it happen.
After getting approval in a few years, what about the timing?
JOE FERGUSON "Probably looking at a minimum of 8 years for completion ..Atlanta airport to Chattanooga airport."
It's possible such a line could be underway before 2020.
There will be more than one train running on the high-speed line, which allows smaller communities like Dalton and Cartersville to become scheduled stops.
