Southwest and Southeast Corridor Design Update

Corridor design for the southwest and southeast sections of the Atlanta BeltLine is well underway. Broadly, corridor design establishes the basis for all future Atlanta BeltLine design and construction. This includes elements of engineering, streetscapes and landscape design, historic preservation, public art locations and, of course, transit, trails and greenspace. Preliminary plans for the southwest corridor detail the 2.5 mile multi-use path, 16 accessible points of entry, and a transit line with several proposed stops in the corridor. The design and construction budget will include lighting and vertical connections to cross streets.

This area, stretching from Lena Street southeast to Allene Avenue, is home to several significant historical landmarks right alongside the Atlanta BeltLine. Washington Park is one of these historical sites, as is Adair Park at the southern end of the corridor. Enota Park lies along the Atlanta BeltLine in the Westview neighborhood. Ultimately, the southwest corridor will connect to four parks and offer safe routes to four schools.

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and the City of Atlanta recently applied for a TIGER V grant. If awarded, this federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation would fast-track the construction schedule, with construction work beginning in the next 2 years. Without the grant, the work would begin in the next 3 to 5 years.

As redevelopment continues in the Atlanta BeltLine corridor, new construction and design is advanced with an eye toward the preservation and restoration of historic structures in order to build off of their original character. The plan for Murphy’s Triangle is one such redevelopment. Corridor design includes plans for turning this area near the West End MARTA station into housing, parks and mixed-used development, all while preserving the historic relics.

Southeast corridor design takes a similar approach to development, connecting the Atlanta BeltLine directly to Boulevard Crossing, linking Grant Park and Ormewood Park, and planning for parks and mixed-used developments with mobility, historical preservation and greenspace as a focus. Design work on this 4.3 mile corridor began in April and is expected to wrap up by fall of 2013. This section of railroad is currently owned by CSX and right-of-way acquisition is scheduled to take approximately 24 months. Once acquired, construction is scheduled to start in the next four to five years and take approximately two years to complete.

Both the southwest and southeast are single-track railroads. This presents unique design challenges as compared with the Eastside Trail, which was a double-track that allowed for a much wider and flatter surface on which to build trails and transit.  Because these corridors are narrower, they require more infrastructure and labor to build out the area, so that it is suitable for both trail and transit.

Stay tuned to our website and events calendar for ongoing public meetings on corridor design this summer and fall.