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 paved trail at Pittsburgh Yards (near the I-75 underpass) to the end of the unpaved 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.
ABI was awarded a $500,000 Brownfield Cleanup Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Grant funds will be used to clean up portions of the interim Southside Trail. Soil remediation will focus on 26 areas as identified in the Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA) previously prepared by United Consulting. 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.
Southside Trail design and construction status as of January 2023.
Project Status
The Southside Trail has project has been broken into six segments.
Southside Trail – Segments 2 – 3: The construction of Segments 2 and 3 is on track to be bid for construction in September 2023, contingent upon federal review and release. This segment is tied to federal dollars and the federal construction process.
McDonough Tunnel: ABI has hired an engineering consultant to design potential solutions where the interim trail is flooding in the McDonough tunnel. Design engineering is complete, and pricing is in progress with a contractor. ABI will proceed with recommendations which includes the installation of drainage piping and additional gravel, while balancing cost, since this section of trail will be under construction very soon.
Southside Trail – Segments 4 – 5: A groundbreaking celebration took place on March 13! Reeves Young Construction has been released to develop shop drawings and material orders to get ready for mobilization. Fiber relocation work is wrapping up and is expected to be complete by late March or early April. At that time, Reeves Young will mobilize the site to begin work. We will keep our community members informed as soon as we have a confirmed timeline. A Southeast Study Group meeting took place on January 31st to introduce Reeves Young. Download the presentation and watch the recording.
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
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
August 2022
Brownfield remediation work completed by Reeves Young
August 2022
Invitation to Bid posted for construction of Southside Trail Segment 4 and 5
2022
Utility relocation and remediation work
Last Updated: March 13, 2023
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.
