Atlanta Beltline Design and Construction Updates: October 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 virtual public meeting was held on October 2 at 6:30 p.m. Download the presentation and view the meeting recording 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, removal of the existing cracked asphalt trail surface, lighting and camera prep work as well as the replacement of an existing water line under the original trail surface. The contractor will start pouring the concrete trail in November.
  Along Segment II, construction crews have completed erosion control measures, tree clearing and stump removal.
  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 trail is now open and a ribbon cutting took place on November 1! Construction will continue for the connecting sidewalk at the north end of the trail at Mayson Street, which includes retaining wall work. The sidewalk is expected to be complete in December and will not prevent the mainline trail from opening. Landscape installation will start in the cooler winter months, running from December of this year through April 2024. Selig Enterprises, owner of Ansley Mall, is in progress on a bridge connecting the rear of their retail stores to the trail. The schedule for the new bridge installation from Ansley Mall has not been established, but bridge abutments are complete and a sidewalk tying into the Beltline is being formed up for concrete and will be poured in in the next few weeks.

• 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. The design team is scheduled to complete 90% drawings by March of 2024. Real estate acquisition and construction easements are underway and will be 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 to complete the mainline trail and the connector trails.

• Details on each Northeast Trail segment can be found in our design and construction updates section: Segment 1, Segment 2, and Segment 3. A virtual public meeting was held on October 30. View the recording and download the presentation.

  

  Looking north at construction on the portion of the Northeast Trail – Segment 1 replacing the asphalt Carriage Trail through Piedmont Park with the Beltline mainline trail. October 20, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Looking south at construction on the portion of the Northeast Trail – Segment 1 replacing the asphalt Carriage Trail through Piedmont Park with the Beltline mainline trail. October 20, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Installation of storm water management systems, including a wall – or weir – structure to slow water flow. October 20, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Formwork for a wall – or weir – to manage and slow storm water flow. October 20, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Looking north up ramp connecting to Piedmont Avenue on Northeast Trail – Segment 2. October 20, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Workers add the finishing touches to a granite-clad wall just north of Piedmont Avenue on Northeast Trail – Segment 2. October 20, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Looking north of Northeast Trail – Segment 2. October 20, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Construction crews working on a bridge and sidewalk connection to Ansley Mall, just south of the Clear Creek bridge on Northeast Trail – Segment 2. This work is being completed by Selig Enterprises, the owner of Ansley Mall. October 26, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Looking north from the Montgomery Ferry bridge on Northeast Trail – Segment 2. October 26, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Fencing installed over the Buford Spring Connector on Northeast Trail – Segment 2. October 26, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

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. Clearing is complete for the new ramp between the Eastside Trail and Ponce de Leon Avenue. GDOT review and approval of the detailed ramp drawings (shop drawing submittals) may delay the completion of the ramp construction work. This project is on an 18-month schedule, and the contractor is approximately 65% complete. Updates are posted at www.beltline.org/ponce. A virtual public meeting was held on October 30. View the recording and download the presentation.

Southside Trail

• Southside Trail – Segments 2 – 3: The construction of Segments 2 and 3 is on track to bid for construction in November or early December, contingent upon the federal construction process which requires review and approval of the procurement and contract documents by GDOT. The goal is to begin trail construction in spring 2024. Fiber relocation work is underway with working hours between 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. Most of the telecommunication’s fiber has now been relocated and the contractor is currently removing the old fiber out of the abandoned conduits. All Georgia Power relocations that can be completed prior to the start of construction are now complete. 
  This month, stairs were replaced at the access point between Pryor Road and the Southside Trail.

• Southside Trail – Segments 4 – 5: Current activities include the installation of piping and structures underground that will mitigate and manage storm water on the completed project. The contractor is working currently between Delmar and Ormewood. The trail will remain closed for the duration of construction, expected to last through spring 2025. Detour options can be found here.

• Manford Road streetscapes: This project will get underway in mid-November to construct connecting sidewalks to the Southside Trail from the Capitol View Manor neighborhood. Construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Monday and Friday and should last no longer than four weeks.

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

  

  Staged materials just south of Glenwood Avenue on Southside Trail – Segments 4 and 5. October 20, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Heavy construction equipment looking north toward Glenwood Avenue on Southside Trail – Segments 4 and 5. October 20, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Construction on Southside Trail – Segments 4 and 5 looking north from the Berne Street bridge. October 20, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Construction on Southside Trail – Segments 4 and 5 looking south from the Berne Street bridge. October 20, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Grading on Southside Trail – Segments 4 and 5 just south of Ormewood Avenue. October 20, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Grading and storm water management on Southside Trail – Segments 4 and 5 just south of Ormewood Avenue. October 20, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

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 the bridge 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 all 6 bridges has now been completed.  The concrete superstructure for bridges 1 – 3 as well as bridges 5 and 6 are also complete, with bridge 4 slated for completion by mid-November. The granite wall construction along the corridor is underway with the first wall completed near Washington Park. We are working on final grading under all bridges in anticipation of the steel bridge beams being delivered mid-November.  The access ramp at Donald Lee Hollowell is also in progress. 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. The contractor, F.S. Scarbrough, has mobilized. Erosion control measures are in place, site fencing is installed, and heavy equipment delivered. The contractor will start work on South Gordan first and has begun staking the new curb lines. The work is expected to be complete and open to the public within eight months, in spring of 2024.

• 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, and a construction contract has been executed. The contractor is planning to mobilize by December, with an expected construction schedule duration of six months, and completion in spring of 2024.

  

  Construction is now complete for driven steel piles with cast in place concrete caps in this location. The caps will support the next phase of work – installation of steel beams or girders for the elevated trail looking south toward Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway at the northern end of Westside Trail – Segment 4. October 26, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Looking north with Hollowell Parkway in the background, construction is underway on the retaining wall and ramp substructure for this access point and ramp on Westside Trail – Segment 4. October 26, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Driven steel piles with cast in place concrete caps which will support the next phase of work – installation of steel beams or girders to support a new curved access ramp up to Hollowell Parkway from Westside Trail – Segment 4. October 26, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Looking north on Westside Trail – Segment 4 from the “Kudzu Line.” October 26, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Looking south on Westside Trail – Segment 4 from the “Kudzu Line.” October 26, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Looking north towards the curve of the “Kudzu Line” on Westside Trail – Segment 4. October 26, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Westside Trail – Segment 4 under construction in between MARTA’s Green Line and Azalea Gardens Apartments. These are driven piles that will support the elevated trail. October 26, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Formwork for cast in place concrete caps which will make up the support structure for elevated trail in between MARTA’s Green Line and Azalea Gardens Apartments. October 26, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Construction formwork for part of the structure that will support the elevated trail in between MARTA’s Green Line and Azalea Gardens Apartments. October 26, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Construction has begun on the access point to the Westside Trail from Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard. October 27, 2023. Photo by Atlanta Beltline staff.

Enota Park

• Enota Park is an eight-acre park that will be built on the west side 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 will be completed to maintain the budget before construction is released. ABI is also working with the City of Atlanta currently to consolidate some of the real estate parcels within the park, as this impacts construction permitting.  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 have executed a contract with Reeves Young to be our Construction Manager at Risk for Segment 1. We have completed 60% drawings for this segment and our CM is actively pricing the set. Design drawings could be complete as early as April 2024. ABI expects to release early enabling work such as material orders, utility relocations, or the reconfiguration of the Peachtree Park Apartments parking areas before the construction documents are completed.

• 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.

• 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 30% 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 is expected to be at 60% by March of 2024. A community meeting will be held virtually on November 6 at 6:30 p.m.

• 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. Real estate work is currently underway to purchase the final right-of-way needed to construct the trail. The project is scheduled to be posted for a construction bid in Q1 2024. The construction schedule is expected to last 12-15 months.

You can view September’s design and construction update here.  Our next Quarterly Briefing will take place virtually on December 14, 2023 from 6:30-8 p.m.