34 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Atlanta, GA Journal-Constitution, 3/30/23:

 

 

    MARTA moves forward with Atlanta Streetcar extension      

 

 

A MARTA board committee Thursday approved plans for an Atlanta Streetcar extension to Ponce City Market despite opposition from some neighborhood residents.

 

 

Here is the latest.

[KevinKorell]

Column in Saporta Report,  4/4/23:

 

 

    Put the brakes on MARTA’s planned eastside streetcar extension    

 

The Beltline is Atlanta’s jewel. It epitomizes how a human construct can complement nature and how people from all quarters can enjoy themselves side-by-side in harmony. If there is a better example of diversity anywhere, I have yet to find it.

 

City officials and MARTA, however, seem headed down a path that would tarnish this jewel and do so while spending unconscionable amounts of money and degrading adjoining properties in the process. That would be the end result of their planned eastside streetcar extension running from downtown to Ponce City Market (PCM).

 

Column

[KevinKorell]

WSB-TV, Channel 2 in Atlanta, GA,  4/14/23:

 

 

 

 MARTA board approves plan to extend Atlanta Streetcar to Beltline    

 

 

 

MARTA approved Thursday night to extend the Atlanta Streetcar route to the Beltline, a plan that has been met with some controversy.

 

This is good news considering the recent controversy.  Given recent ridership reports, the line needs more passenger generators.

[KevinKorell]

WAGA-TV, Fox-5 in Atlanta, GA, 5/18/23:

 

 

     Heated debate continues to rage over planned expansion of Atlanta Streetcar  

 

 

It’s a streetcar, but not all desire it. The debate continues on the Atlanta Streetcar expansion. 

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

WSB-TV, Channel 2 in Atlanta, GA, 6/22/23:

 

 

    MARTA names contractor for Atlanta Streetcar extension along BeltLine  

 

 

MARTA is one step closer to making the extension of the Atlanta Streetcar along the Atlanta BeltLine a reality.

 

Update

[CNJRoss]

MARTA news release

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2023 

 

 

MARTA SELECTS FIRM FOR FINAL DESIGN OF STREETCAR EAST EXTENSION

 

ATLANTA - The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors Planning and Capital Programs Committee today selected the team led by architecture and engineering firm HDR to complete the final design for the Streetcar East Extension. HDR has extensive experience with streetcar projects, having provided engineering, architectural, environmental, and construction work on streetcar projects in over 30 cities in North America.

 

The More MARTA Atlanta program has been gaining momentum with the groundbreaking of MARTA Rapid bus rapid transit in Southeast Atlanta last week, and the Cleveland Avenue and Metropolitan Parkway arterial rapid transit projects beginning construction later this year. 

 

“MARTA is keenly focused on delivering the nine priority projects identified in the recent resequencing process by 2028,” said Carrie Rocha, Chief Capital Officer for MARTA. “Moving into final design is a critical milestone for this project.”

 

The Streetcar East Extension will cost approximately $230 million and is funded through the More MARTA Atlanta half-penny sales tax. Construction on the extension will get underway in 2025 with service scheduled to begin in 2028.

 

“We’re excited to continue to partner with MARTA and the City of Atlanta on this priority project to fulfill the promise of high-quality transit on the Atlanta BeltLine and bring more accessibility to all,” said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. “We look forward to additional community conversations around the Streetcar design as it progresses toward final design.”

 

The MARTA board recently finalized the alignment for the two-mile extension, which runs along Edgewood Avenue, Randolph Street, Auburn Avenue, and Irwin Street to the Atlanta Beltline, then turns north to Ponce City Market, with five stops along the route. 

 

MARTA’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion assigned a 26 percent Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal on this procurement. HDR has committed to exceeding the assigned goal on this project with a 30 percent goal. 

 

To learn more about the Streetcar East Extension visit Streetcar East Virtual Meeting (scoutfeedback.com).

 

###

 

[KevinKorell]

WAGA-TV, Fox-5 in Atlanta, GA, 6/23/23:

 

 

  Petition opposes expansion of Atlanta Streetcar    

 

 

The plan to expand the Atlanta Streetcar is another step closer to reality. A MARTA committee has now picked a company to do the final design work for its extension onto the BeltLine, but not everyone is happy that the project is moving forward.

 

This is the latest.

[KevinKorell]

Railway Gazette,   7/13/23:

 

 

  Atlanta Streetcar extension design contractor selected  

 

 

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority board has selected a team led by architecture and engineering company HDR to complete final designs for the Streetcar East Extension.

 

The story

[KevinKorell]

Trains magazine,   9/14/23:

 

 

 Atlanta Beltline launches initiative to complete light-rail loop      

 

 

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. is launching a study that proposes using 13.6 miles of a 22-mile rail transit corridor to circle downtown Atlanta. Known as the BeltLine loop, a mixture of biking and hiking trails along with a light-rail line will reuse sections of an inactive right-of-way.

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

WXIA-TV, Channel 11 in Atlanta, GA, 10/16/23:
 

 

   Metro Atlanta group against rail expansion on BeltLine  

A grassroots group is now starting a campaign to stop rail expansion on the Atlanta BeltLine, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

 

Full story