Plans for the mixed-used community and transportation hub in downtown Atlanta have jumped on the fast track, thanks to the White House. U.S. Representative John Lewis and Mayor Kasim Reed announced today that the Georgia MultiModal Passenger Terminal (MMPT) project has been added to the Federal Infrastructure Projects Dashboard, a list of high-priority projects from across the country selected by the administration based on their potential to spur significant economic activity and job creation.

The purpose of the dashboard – which includes 17 projects nationwide – is to expedite permitting review decisions and improve environmental and community outcomes. The move brings a national spotlight to the MMPT project, led by the Georgia Department of Transportation and its master development team FIC (Forest City Enterprises, The Integral Group and Cousins Properties Incorporated). The dashboard designation is expected to reduce the time it will take to develop the project by several months.

Built on the  site known as the “Gulch” near Philips Arena and CNN Center,  the project will be designed to accommodate existing and future services such as high-speed rail, commuter rail and streetcars.