Transportation Referendum Up Close: Transit on the Southwest Atlanta BeltLine

As the Regional Transportation Referendum approaches on July 31, we want to give you a closer look at the projects that would expand the regional rail transit system as part of the Atlanta BeltLine and Streetcar. In this post, we’re looking at the southern terminus of the new transit line on the west side of Atlanta.

Transit in the form of a modern streetcar or light rail would enter the Atlanta BeltLine from Midtown near Maddox Park (the northern corner of this transit line), connect to MARTA at a new station at Boone Blvd. as it heads south, and end at the intersection of Ralph David Abernathy, Langhorn Street and Cascade Road.

This would allow a direct connection to Kroger Citi-Center, a crucial amenity in the area. It would also serve Gordon White Park, an Atlanta BeltLine park that has already become a focal point in southwest Atlanta for festivals, outdoor concerts, and art. The Atlanta BeltLine West End Trail extends from Gordon White Park up Muse Street to Westview and west to Westview Cemetery. To the east, it travels to Rose Circle Park and Brown Middle School. The Atlanta BeltLine has already brought parks and trails to the area – transit is the next logical, and much-needed, step.

A new transit line would also provide much-needed public transit options for these highly residential communities. A huge advantage to building out the Atlanta BeltLine in historic neighborhoods such as the West End and Westview is that the project utilizes abandoned rail corridors. Modern streetcar and light rail are quiet, which means minimal disturbance for residents adjacent to the corridor. Can you image walking out of your house and onto a streetcar that will carry you to MARTA and to Atlanta’s major employment and entertainment hubs in Midtown and Downtown?

You can find out more information at our upcoming Transportation Referendum meetings. We are also partnering with Cobb County in a series of public meetings in the next week for Atlanta residents to learn more and give input regarding the proposed transit line to the northwest suburbs of the city. As always, transit.beltline.org is a great source of info.