Atlanta BeltLine Design and Construction Updates: September 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.  

BeltLine Transit Study 

• The Atlanta BeltLine is working with Kimley-Horn to conduct a transit study, which will include 13 miles of corridor with alternatives analysis between the Lindbergh and Bankhead MARTA stations and continuing counterclockwise to Glenwood Avenue. A community meeting will be held virtually on October 2 at 6:30 p.m. Register here. 

Northeast Trail 

• Northeast Trail – Segment 1: Construction is underway on this segment that runs alongside Piedmont Park and will be completed in three phases: Phase I from Westminster Drive to Evelyn Street, Phase II from Evelyn Street to Monroe Drive, and Phase III including the 10th Street and Monroe Drive intersection improvements. In Phase I, the northernmost section of trail, work is taking place where the BeltLine will replace the Carriage Trail. Completed work includes select tree removal and removal of the existing cracked asphalt trail surface. Lighting and camera conduit installation as well as the installation of a new water line are underway. A speed table (raised crossing for pedestrians) at Westminster Drive is also under construction. Along Segment II, construction crews are installing erosion control fencing and have completed tree clearing. Phase III work, which includes pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of 10th and Monroe Drive, will take place later in the construction schedule and with ample community notice and coordination. The BeltLine continues to work alongside Piedmont Park Conservancy, City of Atlanta Parks Department, and Atlanta Department of Transportation on this project. The project is expected to be complete in fall of 2024.  
• Northeast Trail – Segment 2: This project is nearing substantial completion and a ribbon cutting ceremony has been scheduled for November 1st at 10 a.m.! It will take place on the trail behind the Publix at Ansley Mall. Work in progress includes finishing touches on the stainless-steel handrail and guardrail at the ramp from Piedmont Road. Construction will continue on a connecting sidewalk at the north end of the trail at Mayson Street, which includes retaining wall work. It is expected to be complete in early January and will not prevent the mainline trail from opening. Lights and camera testing and railings at the Buford-Spring Connector bridge crossing are also underway. Landscape installation will continue through the first quarter of 2024 in the cooler winter months. Ansley Mall is in progress on a bridge connecting the rear of their retail stores to the BeltLine trail. The schedule for the new bridge installation from Ansley Mall has not been established. 
• Northeast Trail – Segment 3: This portion of trail includes the mainline trail of the Atlanta BeltLine 22-mile loop, called Northeast Trail – Segment 3, and includes connector trails to MARTA Lindberg station, PATH 400, and to the Armour Ottley district. Thanks to the $25 million RAISE grant received this year, we are now able to fund the construction of connector trails. The design team is scheduled to complete 90% drawings by March of 2024, after which real estate acquisition and easements by the ABI real estate team are required, followed by GDOT approvals for right of way, environmental, and utility work. Construction letting / bidding is targeted for May 2025. The current expected construction start is August of 2025, with up to a three-year schedule. 
• Details on each Northeast Trail segment can be found in our design and construction updates section: Segment 1, Segment 2, and Segment 3.
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Eastside Trail 

• Ponce de Leon Avenue Streetscapes: The Ponce streetscape project will provide an improved pedestrian and bicycle connection along Ponce de Leon Avenue to the BeltLine running from Boulevard to Freedom Parkway. The general contractor has completed work on the north side of Ponce and is now moving from west to east on the south side of the road from Boulevard back toward Freedom Parkway.  Active clearing is underway on the ramp between the Eastside Trail and Ponce de Leon Avenue. This project is on an 18-month schedule, and the contractor is approximately 65% complete. 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. GDOT review and approval of the detailed ramp drawings (shop drawing submittals) may delay the completion of the ramp construction work. Updates are posted at www.beltline.org/ponce.

  

  

Southside Trail 

• Southside Trail – Segments 2 – 3: The construction of Segments 2 and 3 is on track to bid for construction later this year or early in 2024, contingent upon federal review and release. This segment is tied to federal dollars and the federal construction process. Fiber relocation work is underway and expected to last through the end of October. It will take place Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays will be used for make-up weather days if necessary. The contractor will have spotters in place whenever equipment is in use on the trail. Additionally, Georgia Power is working on power pole relocations.
  From October 9 – 14, we will be closing the access point between Pryor Road and the Southside Trail in order to replace wooden stairs that have reached the end of their useful life.
  This project has achieved 80% federal funding, and the grant agreement for the federal RAISE grant for $16.46 million has been executed. Contingent upon the federal construction process, permitting, and utility relocation, the goal is to begin trail construction in spring 2024.
  
• Southside Trail – Segments 4 – 5: Erosion control measures are in place and complete. Clearing work is now complete. Current activities include the installation of piping and structures underground that will mitigate and manage storm water on the completed project. The contractor is also completing grading work. The trail will be closed for the duration of construction, expected to last through spring 2025. Detour options can be found here. A virtual public meeting was held August 17 for Segments 4 and 5. Download the presentation and view the meeting recording here.
• Details on each Southside Trail segment can be found in our design and construction updates section: Segments 2, 3, 4, and 5.
  

  

  

Westside Trail 

• Westside Trail – Segment 4: This 1.3-mile 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 segment requires several bridges and crews are progressing on their construction from south to north. Some portions of this trail alignment do not have an existing rail bed for use, so the elevated trail helps to maintain level grades and provide accessibility for all abilities. The foundation work for bridges 1 (at the north end of Washington Park), 2 (between Washington Park and Ollie Street), 3 (between Ollie Street and Washington Manor), and 5 have been completed this month.  The concrete superstructure for bridges 1, 2 and 3 are complete as well. We have begun grading work at the north end of the segment at Donald Lee Hollowell and will be working on bridge 6 at the beginning of September.  Fine grading is taking place near Washington Park. Details on this Westside Trail segment can be found in our design and construction updates section for Segment 4. This project is expected to be complete in summer of 2025.
• Ralph David Abernathy Access Point (at Westview): This project will provide a new access point to the Westside Trail, with a protected crossing across Ralph David Abernathy and a ramp and stair connection to the BeltLine. A landscaped plaza is also part of the design. A contract has been executed with F.S. Scarbrough. The contractor will be mobilizing in October and the work is expected to be complete and open to the public within eight months, in spring of 2024.  A virtual public meeting was held on September 28. Download the presentation and view the meeting recording here.   
• 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 and protected bicycle lanes. An Invitation to Bid was posted for construction and awarded to F.S Scarbrough. We expect to have a firm under contract soon and plan to have them mobilize on work before the end of the year. The construction schedule duration is expected to be six months, with completion in spring of 2024. A virtual public meeting was held on September 28. Download the presentation and view the meeting recording here.
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Enota Park

• Enota Park is an eight-acre park that will be built on the westside of Atlanta. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is currently open to procure a Construction Manager for Enota Park. After the construction manager is under contract, the project budget will be confirmed and any required adjustments to the design completed to maintain the budget before construction is released. Construction is funded and targeted to start in spring of 2024. The project construction schedule is expected to be 14-18 months.
  

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. We are currently soliciting for a Construction Manager at Risk for Segment 1 with 90% design expected in early 2024. The construction manager will assist with construction logistics, budgeting, and scheduling the project as the drawings are being completed. It is also likely that the construction manager will start some phases of enabling work and material procurement work before the drawings are complete as early as March 2024. This will allow ABI to compress the construction schedule.
• Northwest Trail – Segment 2: This segment begins at the southwest corner of Bobby Jones Golf Course and travels east along Colonial Hills Circle for 0.7 miles. 60% design is expected this winter. ABI has been able to execute an agreement with GDOT for the construction of a tunnel under the Peachtree Road bridge, which is a linchpin for this alignment’s success. GDOT will construct the tunnel as a part of a planned bridge replacement project, and ABI will fund the construction of the tunnel.
• Northwest Trail – Segment 3: This section of trail begins at Trabert Avenue 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 will be 60% complete by February 2024. A solicitation for a Construction Manager at Risk Services is in progress and will provide early assistance with construction logistics, scheduling, and budgeting while the drawings are being completed.
• 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. Design will be 30% complete this fall. 
• 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 complete and all required permits have been procured. Real estate work is currently underway to purchase the final right-of-way needed to construct the trail. Real estate closing dates will drive the timing of when this project is posted for construction. The project will be posted for a construction bid as soon as the real estate transaction is complete, with the bid currently scheduled to post sometime in Q1 2024. The construction schedule is expected to be a duration of 12-15 months. 
  

You can view August’s design and construction update here.