There’s no rail on it yet (maybe ever?) but with the exception of some construction, you can travel almost the entire Beltline these days. With the announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation last week of $25 million for the construction of a 2.2 mile segment in the Lindbergh area south of Buckhead, the mileage for the entire trail will almost be complete.
“The Northeast segment of the BeltLine is a huge undertaking, but Atlanta does big and we do it well—and we do it together,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “Thanks to Senator Ossoff, Senator Warnock, Congresswoman Williams and the Biden Administration, Atlanta now has $25 million in funding—in addition to millions in infrastructure dollars already delivered—for utility, stormwater, accessibility and safety infrastructure for Segment 3 and surrounding connectors.”
This segment will be the first that connects directly to a MARTA station, at least one step in the trail being part of a transit network. Without this grant, this segment may not have been possible. As opposed to most of the Beltline, this segment will not run on former rail lines but it will help to bridge across existing and still-operating Norfolk Southern and CSX freight lines. The segment will connect across existing MARTA lines, as well as get across Peachtree Creek on Piedmont Road.
“With the incredible support of the USDOT and our congressional delegation, we’re creating a city that allows people to move within it, creating new access points that lead to jobs, housing, and activities,” said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. “The BeltLine is creating a vibrant public space and a more equitable city for Atlantans by ensuring mobility and access for all who live and work near the corridor. The construction of the Northeast Trail network is a crucial part of this vision.”
The total project cost will be more than $70 million, with most of the funds coming from the Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD), charitable contributions and other grants. The Atlanta Regional Commission is also contributing nearly $13 million through a federally-funded transportation program. Construction is slated to begin in early 2025.
“The BeltLine is more than a walking path, it is an artery connecting Atlantans to each other and their neighborhoods in the heart of our state,” said Sen. Reverend Warnock. “That is why I am proud to have worked alongside Senator Ossoff to secure these funds for the city to expand trail construction, bolster accessibility, strengthen economic development and more. Atlanta is on the frontlines of our green economy, and by investing in this world-class transportation corridor, we are continuing to pave a path towards a better tomorrow.”
