UrbanizeAtlNewsBot

UrbanizeAtlNewsBot

City: Downtown streetcar will extend to Eastside Trail—but not in it Josh Green Fri, 03/14/2025 - 12:21 Following Thursday’s bombshell revelation that city and Beltline leadership have no intention of building light-rail transit on the popular Eastside Trail in coming years, the same officials stressed that streetcar expansions could very much be in Atlanta’s future—and to high-density places not previously included in plans.

Those extended streetcar routes could reach the Beltline corridor near Krog Street Market as previously planned—but streetcars would stop there, and not slink up the Eastside Trail, per city officials.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens in a Thursday meeting with MARTA’s Board of Directors relayed for the first time unequivocally that city leaders were shifting focus away from the Eastside Trail after years of planning for an estimated $230-million light-rail system there. MARTA’s plans for a five-stop route to Ponce City Market—unveiled two and ½ years ago—outraged some naysayers but lent hope for many Atlantans that city leaders might finally embrace new rail in walkable, densely populated places.

Dickens told MARTA leadership a southside Beltline transit system in conjunction with MARTA would better serve the city, and that project leaders will focus on improving the current Atlanta Streetcar and branching it into Southwest Atlanta’s Beltline corridor via a connection at Murphy Crossing.

On Thursday evening, Dickens’ office issued a media release calling that strategy—and others—a “transformative plan for equitable access to transit” that would help “to build a local economy that works for all Atlantans.” The city has consistently been ranked as the country’s worst for income equality over the past decade, including again this month, city officials pointed out.

So what could equity look like, in terms of light-rail expansion?

The stop nearest to the Beltline corridor in Old Fourth Ward, as shown in 2022 visuals. Kimley-Horn/MARTA 2040; via Vimeo

According to the mayor’s office, plans call for public engagement in coming months as city and Beltline leaders move forward in different (or revised) directions. In the words of city officials, a beefed-up downtown streetcar system would look like this:

• “Finally connecting downtown to the Beltline via the Streetcar East Extension… at grade at Irwin Street NE in Phase I of streetcar/light rail construction;

• Advancing the Streetcar West Extension to connect downtown to [Atlanta University Center] and/or Georgia Tech in Phase II;

• Utilizing dedicated [right-of-way] on the Southside Trail to connect Southwest and Southeast Atlanta with world-class streetcar/light-rail service—accelerating the construction of [four previously] announced infill stations” for MARTA’s heavy-rail lines.

Last night we asked city officials for clarity on a couple of points—for example, would the Streetcar East Extension be a looping route, or would streetcars essentially reach the Beltline via Irwin Street and turn back on the same rail line?—but have yet to hear back.

We’ve also inquired about ballpark construction timelines for any of the streetcar extension initiatives outlined by the city late Thursday.

Where the Atlanta Streetcar would branch off its current loop along Edgewood Avenue, per plans revealed in 2022. Kimley-Horn/MARTA 2040; via Vimeo

Broader goals for the revised approach to light-right expansion would be to reduce poverty, boost graduation rates, increase MARTA ridership, and improve access to affordable housing for a larger swath of Atlanta’s population, per the city.

Below are statements provided by key players in the light-rail expansion plans, lightly edited for length:

Mayor Dickens:

“A thriving transit system is more than just buses and trains—it is about creating walkable, connected communities where people can live, work, and play near high-quality transit. MARTA has a substantial amount of high-value real estate holdings that can be leveraged to accomplish this… We need to ensure that our stations serve as hubs of economic activity, housing, and retail that benefit all Atlantans—particularly in historically underserved neighborhoods.”

Jennifer Ide, MARTA Board chair:

“I was excited to hear the mayor’s plan to create equitable transit solutions throughout the city. By building transit-oriented communities, we can connect our neighbors across the city and secure MARTA’s future as a world-class transit agency.”

Courtney English, the mayor’s chief policy officer and senior advisor:

“Just last week, Atlanta was once again ranked dead last for income equality. Sustained inequity is bad for people, bad for business, and jeopardizes the future health of the city. By bringing rail to Atlanta’s Southside Trail, we connect transit-dependent riders to the necessary amenities they need to live choice-filled lives.”

Clyde Higgs, Atlanta Beltline president and CEO:

“Without frequent, accessible, and affordable transit, [underserved] communities face significant barriers to economic mobility and daily necessities… Investing in transit on the Southside section of the Beltline also helps address broader regional challenges, including traffic congestion, air quality, and workforce accessibility. A more connected Atlanta strengthens the entire city, creating a more inclusive and resilient transportation network that benefits all Atlantans.”

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