Atlanta Beltline — the 22-mile loop of parks and trails circling the city — could eventually have light rail service under a $3.5 billion proposal still being formulated. The idea, now under study, would connect neighborhoods throughout the city and offer new options for commuters from surrounding counties but no construction date has been set.
During a virtual meeting on August 12, Atlanta Beltline Inc. brought forward preliminary recommendations for the northwest, southwest, and southeast sections of the loop. For the northwest, the number one option — known as the CSX Alignment — would follow 5.5 miles of CSX freight corridor along the route from Bankhead to Armour Yards. It would go straight to Piedmont Hospital, the quadrant’s largest job center, and would be the fastest and most affordable at $800 million. But it would have to be negotiated to allow for coexistence with freight traffic of light rail.
Northwest Section
If it is adopted, the northwest part would have eight stops along the way, including Donald Lee Hollowell in Bankhead, Marietta Boulevard South, Marietta Boulevard North, Howell Mill Road at CSX Howell Yard, Northside Drive, Collier Road/Piedmont Hospital, Peachtree Street North, and Armour Yards. Green indicated that these locations are rough estimates at this time.
Southwest
Southwest quadrant proposals outline potential stops at Murphy Avenue — where Mayor Andre Dickens has floated an infill MARTA station — and Lawton Street, Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, Langhorn/Enota, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and Joseph E. Boone Boulevard. Southeast quadrant proposals include Metropolitan Parkway, Pryor Road, Milton Avenue (linked to MARTA’s Summerhill in-construction Bus Rapid Transit line), Hill Street, Boulevard, and Glenwood Avenue.
Total cost estimates includes $270 million for transit vehicles and $210 million for support and maintenance facilities. Sources of funds, an operating budget, and a construction schedule are still undecided. Officials expect to have a better understanding by late 2025 after more community meetings and ridership studies.
Beltline officials say that the proposed light rail system would increase access to major job hubs, cross over MARTA’s existing lines, and connect to future regional transit projects, potentially benefiting both locals and commuters who enter Atlanta.
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Atlanta BeltLine Light Rail Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Total Route Length: 22-mile loop encircling the city
Estimated Cost: $3.5 billion
Current Status: Planning and feasibility study phase
Route Segments & Stations
Northwest Quadrant
Preferred Route: CSX Alignment
Length: 5.5 miles from Bankhead to Armour Yards
Cost Estimate: $800 million
Key Feature: Would directly serve Piedmont Hospital, the quadrant’s largest job center
Notes: Projected to be the fastest and most affordable option, but would require negotiations to allow light rail to operate alongside freight trains
Proposed Stations:
Donald Lee Hollowell (Bankhead)
Marietta Boulevard South
Marietta Boulevard North
Howell Mill Road at CSX Howell Yard
Northside Drive
Collier Road/Piedmont Hospital
Peachtree Street North
Armour Yards
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Southwest Quadrant
Proposed Stations:
Murphy Avenue (where Mayor Andre Dickens has proposed a MARTA infill station)
Lawton Street
Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard
Langhorn/Enota
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Joseph E. Boone Boulevard
Southeast Quadrant
Proposed Stations:
Metropolitan Parkway
Pryor Road
Milton Avenue (linking to MARTA’s under-construction Summerhill Bus Rapid Transit line)
Hill Street
Boulevard
Glenwood Avenue
Financial Breakdown
Total Project Cost: $3.5 billion
Northwest Segment: $800 million
Transit Vehicles: $270 million
Maintenance & Support Facilities: $210 million
Project Benefits
Improve access to major job hubs
Connect with MARTA’s existing lines
Link to future regional transit projects
Benefit both local residents and people traveling into Atlanta
Key Challenges
CSX Freight Coordination: Northwest route requires negotiations with CSX Transportation for shared corridor usage
Funding Sources: Undecided
Operations Budget: Undecided
Project Timeline
August 12, 2025: Atlanta BeltLine Inc. shared draft recommendations in virtual meeting
Fall 2025: Another public meeting planned to review feedback and refine proposals
Late 2025: Officials expect clearer picture after further community meetings and ridership studies
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No mention of NE Sector plans. Seems this is covering what MARTA should have gotten as transit.