The Atlanta Beltline hosted a public meeting on Sept. 3 to present recommendations for a $3.5 billion light rail system around the 22-mile loop.
Funded by the Federal Transit Administration, the three-and-a-half-year study consolidates years of prior work into a single plan for high-capacity light rail transit along the Beltline corridor.
Given MARTA’s planning work in the northeast Beltline quadrant, the Beltline Transit Study (BTS) focused on the northwest, southwest, and southeast quadrants of the Beltline, according to a blog post on the Beltline website.
Initial findings were presented to the public for feedback and input during a public meeting in 2024. Following that meeting, the team continued public engagement, created ridership projections, and developed cost estimates.
Three alignments for transit in the northwest quadrant remained under consideration, but the team ultimately recommended the CSX alignment – following the existing heavy rail corridor – as the preferred alignment alternative. Officials said the alignment will ensure the fastest average speed and lowest travel time, direct service to Piedmont Hospital, lowest capital cost, and highest ridership.
The final recommendations designate 13 station locations along the southwest and southeast transit corridor:
- Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway
- Joseph E. Boone Boulevard
- Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
- Langhorn/Enota
- Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard
- Lawton Street
- Murphy Avenue
- Metropolitan/Pittsburgh Yards
- Pryor Road
- Milton Avenue/Hank Aaron Drive
- Hill Street
- Boulevard
- Glenwood Avenue
Final recommendations include three routes with bi-directional service, running 18.5 hours a day (6 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.). This includes a Beltline Loop that runs the entirety of the Beltline, as well as Northern and Southern Loops that provide service into Downtown Atlanta.
Using FTA ridership models, a conservative estimate projects 4,200,000 annual riders. This includes an estimated 40% of transit-dependent riders, 55% of trips at infill stations, and 21% of new transit trips.
The public meeting concluded with an open house where those who attended on site were invited to ask questions and provide feedback.
Virtual attendees and residents who could not attend in person but would like to provide input or engage further about this study are invited to do so at the Konveio portal. The platform allows users to make comments directly on the same documents displayed at the event.
Those who missed the meeting or want to take a closer look can review the presentation and watch the recording to learn more.
Additional questions and comments can be sent to engage@atlbeltline.org. Feedback will be accepted through Nov. 3.
