Atlanta Beltline Design and Construction Updates: March 2023

Below you will find recent updates and photos of each of our Atlanta Beltline projects in construction or design along with links to get more general information about each project. Additionally, you can explore current design and construction projects via map and list view here. These projects play a pivotal role in furthering the Atlanta Beltline vision to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life.

Northeast Trail

• Northeast Trail – Segment 1: A 100% design package has been received for this segment. The trail runs from the northern end of the Eastside Trail to Westminster Drive with a portion through Piedmont Park. The Beltline continues to work alongside Piedmont Park Conservancy, City of Atlanta Parks Department, and Atlanta Department of Transportation. Construction is expected to bid this month and start by early summer.  The schedule to complete the project is approximately 18 months.

• Northeast Trail – Segment 2: Repair work on the timber bridge is now complete, and work is moving to the wing walls. Ramp wall construction at Piedmont Avenue will be complete in April. Tree planting along the already paved portion of the trail is complete, with grass and shrubs to follow this spring. A final GDOT permit has been received, allowing all work along the Buford-Spring Connector bridge crossing to move forward. This construction work is currently scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2023, with final landscaping to follow in late 2023 and early 2024.

• Northeast Trail – Segment 3: A Preliminary Field Plan Review (for 60% design drawings) took place this month. ABI is coordinating engineering reviews required for a bridge crossing over the CSX railroad. ABI has also coordinated with the Department of Watershed Management and the Brookwood Hills neighborhood regarding the Brookwood Hills Conservation Easement that the mainline trail will be passing through. Investigative work to identify the location of a sewer main line will be in progress soon, as well as geotechnical related boring work for future bridge structures.

• Details on each Northeast Trail segment can be found in our design and construction updates section: Segment 1, Segment 2, and Segment 3.

Atlanta Beltline Northeast Trail construction looking south across the Clear Creek bridge behind Ansley Mall. March 23, 2023. Photo by John Becker.

Atlanta Beltline Northeast Trail construction looking south across the Clear Creek bridge behind Ansley Mall. March 23, 2023. Photo by John Becker.

Construction on the ramp connecting Piedmont Avenue to the Northeast Trail looking north behind Ansley Square. March 23, 2023. Photo by John Becker.

Work on the Piedmont Avenue bridge abutments. March 23, 2023. Photo by John Becker.

Eastside Trail

• Ponce de Leon Avenue Streetscapes: The Ponce streetscape project will provide an improved pedestrian and bicycle connection along Ponce to the Beltline running from Boulevard to Freedom Parkway. JHC, the project contractor, is moving west on the north side of Ponce from Freedom Parkway. This is an 18-month schedule, and the contractor is approximately 30% complete with the work. Work is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2024. Weather delays (rain) have added about 60 days to the project schedule duration. Updates are posted at www.beltline.org/ponce.

• Reynoldstown Community Space: Construction is beginning soon on the community space in Reynoldstown on the Eastside Trail, just north of Memorial Drive and projected to be complete by June. Envisioned as a long-term cultural landmark and community amenity, the space will feature monumental sculptural forms that serve as both public art and seating and as a component of the performance venue when activated. A community meeting took place on March 21 and the presentation can be downloaded here and the meeting recording can be viewed here.

Construction underway on Ponce streetscapes. March 20, 2023. Photo by John Becker.

Newly completed sidewalks as part of the Ponce streetscapes. March 20, 2023. Photo by John Becker.

Reynoldstown Community Space rendering with design by make/do studio

Reynoldstown Community Space rendering with design by make/do studio

Southside Trail

• Southside Trail – Segments 2 – 3: The construction of Segments 2 and 3 is on track to bid for construction in September 2023, contingent upon federal review and release. This segment is tied to federal dollars and the federal construction process.  Fiber relocation work will begin this summer, to move telecommunication lines out of the way of construction activities.

• Southside Trail – Segments 4 – 5: A groundbreaking ceremony 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 the final bore under United Avenue to relocate the fiber is now complete.  Remaining work involves pulling new fiber cables, and moving communications traffic over to the new fiber. The fiber relocation work is expected to be complete by the end of April or early May. At that time, Reeves Young will mobilize to the site and construction activities to complete the trail will begin. We will keep our community members informed as soon as we have a confirmed timeline.

• Details on each Southside Trail segment can be found in our design and construction updates section: Segments 2, 3, 4, and 5.

  

  Pictured from left to right: Rob Brawner, Executive Director, Atlanta Beltline Partnership; Katie Howard, Atlanta Public Schools Board Member, District 1; Natalie Hall, Fulton County Commissioner, District 4; Clyde Higgs, President and CEO, Atlanta Beltline, Inc.; Mayor Andre Dickens, City of Atlanta; Jason Winston, City of Atlanta Councilmember, District 1; Daniel Blackman, Regional Administrator for EPA’s Southeast Region (Region 4); Abiy Kaltiso, Transportation Chair South Atlanta for Neighborhood Development (SAND); Matt Westmoreland, City of Atlanta Councilmember, Post 2 At Large. Photo by Erin Sintos.

Westside Trail

• Westside Trail – Segment 4: A groundbreaking ceremony took place March 22 with Mayor Dickens, elected officials, community members, and the Atlanta Beltline team. This last major, 1.3-mile section of the Westside Trail is now under construction, and the unpaved trails by Washington Park are closed. This segment begins at the current Westside Trail terminus near Lena Street and Washington Park and extends north to Law Street where the trail ties into the Westside Beltline Connector and the completed Westside Trail – Segment 3. This project is a complicated design that includes elevated structures and bridges, and we expect it to be complete in summer of 2025.

• Details on this Westside Trail segment can be found in our design and construction updates section for Segment 4.

• Ralph David Abernathy Access Point (at Westview) This project will provide a new access point to the Westside Trail, with a new protected crossing across Ralph David Abernathy and a ramp and stair connection to the Beltline. A landscaped plaza is also part of the design. The GDOT permits have been received and ABI is planning to bid this work for construction in late March, with a bid award in May.

• Ralph David Abernathy Complete Streets: This is a streetscape improvement project in the heart of the business district.  The project is approximately 800’ in length and includes parking protected bicycle lanes. The GDOT permits have been received and ABI is planning to bid this work for construction in June with a bid award in August.

• A community meeting took place on March 23 that covered both the access point and complete streets. View the meeting and download the presentation.

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEcD, President and CEO, Invest Atlanta; Rob Brawner, Executive Director, Atlanta Beltline Partnership; Aretta Baldon, Atlanta Public Schools Board Member, District 2; Byron Amos, City of Atlanta Councilmember, District 3; Mayor Andre Dickens, City of Atlanta; Clyde Higgs, President and CEO, Atlanta Beltline, Inc.; Zena Scott Williams, Washington Manor resident; Natalie Hall, Fulton County Commissioner, District 4; Reverend Dr. Gerald Durley; Matt Westmoreland, City of Atlanta Councilmember, Post 2 At Large; Doug Shipman, Atlanta City Council President. Photo by Erin Sintos.

Clearing and construction activities underway on the Westside Trail looking north by Washington Park Tennis Center. March 22, 2023. Photo by John Becker.

Clearing and construction activities underway on the Westside Trail where it will curve east to traverse the top of Washington Park. March 22, 2023. Photo by John Becker.

Clearing and construction activities underway on the Westside Trail looking south by Washington Park Tennis Center. March 22, 2023. Photo by John Becker.

Northwest Trail

• Northwest Trail – Segment 1: This section of trail is 0.8 miles in length, beginning at the western edge of Peachtree Parks Apartments and running south along Peachtree Creek. Design is 30% complete, with 60% design expected by this summer.

• Northwest Trail – Segment 2: This segment begins at the corner of Bobby Jones Golf Course and travels east along Colonial Hills Circle for 0.7 miles. Survey and other fieldwork is in progress and is expected to be complete by the end of March, with 30% drawings expected to be complete by the summer.

• Northwest Trail – Segment 3: This section of trail begins at Trabert Ave near Monday Night Brewing’s parking lot and ends after crossing under I-75 at Tanyard Creek, for a total length of 1.2 miles. Design drawings are expected to be 30% complete by the end of May.

• Northwest Trail – Segment 4: This 0.9-mile-long trail begins at English and Culpepper and ends at the parking lot of Monday Night Brewery at Trabert. Survey and field work is complete on Segment 4, and early design work is in progress, with 30% drawings expected in fall of this year.

• Northwest Trail – Segment 5: This trail section begins at the intersection of Marietta Blvd and Huff Rd, traveling to Ellsworth Industrial and English Street for a total of 0.7 miles. Design is 90% complete, with final 100% drawings expected in April. Real estate work is currently underway and the targeted construction start is on schedule for fall of this year.

Northside Trail

• CSX replaced the elevated railroad bridge and trestle that runs between Tanyard Creek Park and Ardmore Park and over the Atlanta Beltline Northside Trail. Our Atlanta Beltline team recently met with CSX executive leadership to discuss future Beltline projects that may interface with CSX rail lines. During that conversation, we briefed CSX on the desire to address this crossing as a future project. If design and construction funding is identified for this project, an engineer will be hired to design solutions to improve trail conditions where the trail crosses under the CSX line.  At that time, we would work with engineers and CSX to address the rip rap (boulders) recently installed adjacent to the trail, and to address erosion issues caused by the creek along the trail. Please reach out to tanyardpark@brasfieldgorrie.com with any questions regarding the current status of the project.

We are currently in the process of engaging with community around the update of our Strategic Implementation Plan. This is our comprehensive strategic work plan that provides an overarching execution strategy for the balance of priorities in the Atlanta Beltline program. The plan update charts the budget and course for completion of the Beltline program, including trails, transit preparedness, parks, affordable housing, economic development, and more by the sunset of the Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD) in 2030. We encourage everyone to give their feedback in this short survey, which will be live through April 14.

Information on all upcoming and past public meetings, including those involving the Strategic Implementation Plan, can be found at www.beltline.org/meetings.