I-75 Underpass to Bill Kennedy Way // Subarea 2, 3
The project includes the design of a 14 foot wide concrete multi-use path and extending approximately 3.1 miles from the I-75 underpass to the end of the interim Southside Trail at Bill Kennedy Way. Additional site elements include planting, lighting, retaining walls, vertical connections to adjoining streets, storm drainage, signage/wayfinding, and the replacement and rehabilitation of several bridges. The design also includes streetscape/accessibility improvements on all intersecting streets extending from the corridor to the nearest intersection or one-quarter mile, whichever was closest.
The Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA) is available for viewing here. The report, part of an EPA grant, provides information about any contamination found on site and alternatives for cleaning up any the contamination.
Atlanta BeltLine Southside Trail – September 2021
Project Status
The Southside Trail has project has been broken into six segments.
Segment 1: originally called Southside Trail – West, this project is complete and open as a paved trail.
Segments 4-5: he Southside Trail Segments 4 and 5 have moved into the shovel ready phase of work, where permitting, final real estate transactions, and utility relocation work is completed prior to the bid being let for construction. Kimley Horn, the design engineering consultant, has completed Segments 4 and 5 drawings, and has started permitting work for this section of trail. An Invitation to Bid for construction will follow the completion of brownfield remediation and two fiber relocation projects. Fiber relocation work will start in May with and is expected to be complete by August. The trail will remain open for use, with possible short term intermittent or full closures. Brownfield remediation work is under contract to Reeves Young and is also expected to start in April. The Segment 4 and 5 project scope includes the rebuilding of the bridge of United Avenue.
Segments 2-3: The construction of Segments 2 and 3, which is tied to federal dollars and the federal construction process, is targeting a construction bid date of summer 2023, with construction mobilization expected by fall 2023. On April 20, Senator Warnock and Clyde Higgs held a press conference to highlight the recent $5 million in federal funding secured for this section of trail.
Segment 6: The sections runs the length of Bill Kennedy Way and interim safety improvements were completed in May 2021.
Project Timeline
March 2018
The City of Atlanta and ABI purchased the southside corridor, representing more than 4 miles and 63 acres
August 2019
The Southside Trail opened for public use in an unpaved condition
July 2020
Emergency demolition of bridge over United Avenue
February 2021
Design 90% complete
May 2021
Interim safety improvements along Bill Kennedy Way (Southside Trail - Segment 6) completed
May 2021
ABI awarded $4 million in grant funding from the Atlanta Regional Commission
November 2021
RAISE grant awarded for $16.46 million towards construction
Q1 2022
Anticipated completion of construction documents for Segments 4 and 5
2022
Utility relocation and remediation work
Last Updated: April 29, 2022
Bike riders enjoy the Southside Trail near Pittsburgh Yards. (Photo: The Sintoses)
Bikers and walkers enjoy the Southside Trail at Pittsburgh Yards. (Photo: The Sintoses)
The Southside Trail passes over Metropolitan Parkway just south of University Avenue. (Photo: The Sintoses)
Southside Trail over Metropolitan Parkway. September 2, 2021. (Photo by John Becker)
A concrete marker indicates where the Southside and Westside Trails meet. September 2, 2021. Photo by John Becker.
The Southside Trail below interstates 75/85 as seen in fall 2018. (Photo: John Becker)
A view from the Southside Trail in its interim state, east of Boulevard. (Photo: John Becker)
The Southside Trail will connect the Westside and Eastside Trails for over 11 miles of continuous trail. It will navigate through stunning railroad architecture, like this 100+ year old tunnel. (Photo: John Becker)
D.H. Stanton Park viewed from the Southside Unpaved Trail. (Photo: John Becker)
An artistic rendering shows the Southside Trail where it crosses under interstates 75 / 85, enabling easy pedestrian access between neighborhoods on either side of the Downtown Connector.
United Avenue pedestrian crossing along the Southside Trail
The Southside Trail will connect to bike lanes and pedestrian improvements along Ormewood Avenue via temporary wooden stairs at Mercer Street and a path to Lynwood Street. (Photo: John Becker)
The Southside Trail opened in an interim state in 2019, which means the old railroad corridor is cleared and graded, but not yet paved. (Photo: John Becker)
The Southside Trail after rails were cleared in 2018. (Photo: the Sintoses)
An early rendering of the Southside Trail shows the interaction with D. H. Stanton Park to the left and transit along the corridor.
An early rendering shows a transit stop where McDaniel Street meets University Avenue and the Southside Trail.
