Atlanta Beltline officials unveil ambitious transit vision with dozens of potential stations
By Tyler Wilkins – Staff Reporter, Atlanta Business Chronicle
Sep 27, 2024
Atlanta Beltline Inc. has identified dozens of potential transit stations for three-quarters of a proposed network that would tie into MARTA's heavy-rail system.
At a Thursday meeting, ABI shared the latest findings of a $3.5 million transit study focused on the northwestern, southwestern and southeastern quadrants of the 22-mile light rail network that would be built near the trail loop. MARTA previously completed a similar study for the northeastern quadrant.
Within the next several months, the organization plans to determine anticipated ridership estimates and cost projections for the segments, said Shaun Green, ABI's principal engineer and project manager. It's unclear when any of the proposals discussed Thursday night could be built.
"The intention of the Beltline is that of connectivity," Green said. "It's making sure that people can get all over the city with as much ease and with as much access as possible."
The northwestern segment between South Buckhead and Bankhead lacks an abandoned rail corridor to follow, making it the most challenging portion of the network to scope out. ABI compiled five corridor options, which would link up with a proposed infill heavy-rail station at Armour Yards or possibly farther north to the existing Lindbergh station, where it would tie into the northeastern segment of the network.
Most options for the northwestern segment would run through Knight Park/Howell Station, Loring Heights, Atlantic Station and Brookwood, while one of them would be built farther north and run through Blandtown, Berkeley Park and Collier Hills. Providing transit access to the area around Piedmont Hospital along Peachtree Road is a priority, Green said.
The alignment is already established for the southern half of the network, and ABI owns most of the land needed for it. The study produced 26 potential station locations for the southwestern and southeastern segments. Building all of them would slow down service, Green said, but passengers could rely on the trail system to complete shorter trips.
ABI created a preliminary plan for the southern half with more than 12 stations, selected based on their proximity to affordable housing, nearby development potential and connectivity options with existing and planned transit, among other criteria. The route would intersect with infill heavy-rail stations proposed at Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and Murphy Avenue.
ABI plans to determine how to fund and deliver the projects at a later point in the study process, Green said.
In 2016, City of Atlanta voters approved a half-penny sales tax underpinning More MARTA Atlanta. The expansion program includes bus rapid transit lines, streetcar routes and segments of the Beltline light rail network now being refined by ABI.
But, in early 2023, MARTA placed more than half of the expansion projects on the back burner because of financial constraints. The upcoming extension of the Atlanta Streetcar to the Eastside Trail is the only Beltline-related project that is scheduled to be built and operational by the end of the decade. That project is facing intense pushback from residents and businesses and even being questioned by Mayor Andre Dickens.
Dickens made a surprising announcement earlier this year to build four infill stations, which would provide direct access to MARTA's heavy-rail network and the Beltline trails. It is unclear when those projects could advance toward construction and how they would be funded. The mayor has mentioned the More MARTA tax as a potential option.
