Atlanta Beltline Design and Construction Updates: November 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 consulting engineer, 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, work is underway to replace an asphalt trail passing through Piedmont Park starting at Westminster Drive NE and running adjacent to Clear Creek. This area is sometimes referred to as 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 started pouring the concrete trail in this section in mid-October and, barring any weather delays, will complete the concrete work by mid-December. Lighting and camera installation is also expected to be complete by the end of the year.

  • Along Segment II, construction crews have completed erosion control measures, tree clearing and stump removal. Storm water work will begin in this area starting in December. The trail running parallel to Evelyn Street leading to the interim gravel trail is now closed.

  • 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.

    

    Looking south on Northeast Trail – Segment 1, work is underway to replace an asphalt trail passing through Piedmont Park starting at Westminster Drive NE and running adjacent to Clear Creek.  This area is sometimes referred to as the Carriage Trail. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

    

    Looking north on Northeast Trail – Segment 1, the trail formwork and welded wire fabric is in place and ready for the concrete trail to be poured. ABI has worked with an arborist, Piedmont Park Conservancy, and the Atlanta Parks Department to preserve and protect trees along this trail section. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

    

    View of Northeast Trail – Segment 2, looking north towards Westminster Driv NE. This is the location where Segment 1 ties into the completed Northeast Trail – Segment 2. A plaza area is under construction, and a raised cross walk across Westminster Drive NE is in place. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

• 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 impact the mainline trail being open. The contractor will start pouring the retaining wall after the Thanksgiving holiday, moving the curb line, pouring a new sidewalk, and installing stone cladding on the retaining wall. 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.

  

  View of retaining wall under construction at Mayson Street and Plasters Avenue, at the northern end of Northeast Trail – Segment 2. This wall will support the construction of a connecting sidewalk to the Beltline trail. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Northeast Trail – Segment 2 opened on November 1, 2023. Tree and landscaping installation work will continue through spring of 2024. November 17, 2023. Photo by ABI Staff.

• 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 also includes connector trails to MARTA Lindberg station, PATH 400, and to the Armour-Ottley business 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.

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. Work currently in progress includes the area between Kroger and Freedom Parkway.  Mast arms foundations will be installed this month outside of Ponce City Mark, followed by the installation of the mast arm poles for an improved pedestrian crossing. Clearing is complete for the new ramp between the Eastside Trail and Ponce de Leon Avenue. The contractor is currently hauling off excess soil as a part of the ramp installation. This project is on an 18-month schedule, and the contractor is approximately 65% complete, with an anticipated completion date of June 2024. 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 will be released for bid for construction in November.  ABI has received the notice to proceed with procurement from GDOT.  The goal is to begin trail construction in late spring of 2024, with a two year construction schedule. 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.

• Southside Trail – Segments 4 – 5: Current activities include the installation of storm piping and structures underground that will mitigate and manage storm water on the completed project. The contractor is working currently at Delmar and heading south towards Ormewood. In mid-November, sidewalks and some on-street parking on Ormewood Avenue was closed off to allow for the installation of bridge bents.  This is expected to remain closed through December. Sheet piles have been installed along the sidewalk at Ormwood for footing excavation for a new pedestrian bridge that will run parallel to the existing historic Ormwood bridge. Pile driving is in progress for the bridge structure, or bridge bents. Installation of temporary shoring at United will begin at the end of the month and will take approximately a month to install.  The contractor expects to have work completed in mid-December. The trail will remain closed for the duration of construction, expected to last through spring 2025. Detour options can be found here.

  

  A new pedestrian bridge is under construction that will run parallel to the historic bridge at Ormewood Avenue, SE. This view shows footing work to support the new bridge. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  View of pedestrian bridge under construction at Ormwood Ave NE, showing formwork for the footing, as well as rebar for the footing and column connection. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  A new pedestrian bridge is under construction that will run parallel to the historic bridge at Ormewood Avenue, SE. Shoring to retain soil is place, with footing excavation, formwork, and rebar placement in progress. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

• 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 six weeks. The contractor will start work when they receive final permits from the City.

• 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, or elevated trail sections, 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 six bridges has now been completed, including all of the bridge caps or bents.  Steel has been placed on the first bridge, and the concrete trail will be poured on this section of trail starting in mid-December.  The steel for the second bridge will arrive during the first week of December.  Retaining wall work is also under way, with most activity in the area of Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, NW. Stone, or rip-rap, is being installed under bridges and final grading is taking place between Washington Park and Washington Manor. Trail grading and ductbank infrastructure work will be starting in January near Lena Street. 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.

  

  View of elevated trail structure from Washington Manor Drive on Westside Trail – Segment 4. Stone, or rip-rap, is being installed under bridges and final grading is taking place between Washington Park and Washington Manor. Storm water infrastructure, and drainage work is complete in this area. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Structural steel has been installed on the elevated trail structure, adjacent to Washington Park and just past where the trail crosses the MARTA heavy rail line. The steel will support the concrete trail. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  View of elevated trail structure facing Washington Manor Dr. NW on Westside Trail – Segment 4. Stone, or rip-rap, is being installed under bridges or elevated sections of the trail.  Storm water infrastructure, grading, and drainage work is complete in this area. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  View Westside Trail – Segment 4, and elevated structure for a ramp connection at Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, facing south. Grading, and retaining wall work is also in progress in this area. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  View Westside Trail – Segment 4, at Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW, facing north. Retaining wall is underway for a ramp connection / access point from Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. Completed structure for a section of trail that has been elevated to allow storm water to flow under the trail. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

• 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. Granite curb installation on South Gordon is in progress.  On the trail access point, the contractor is cutting the grade down to begin excavation work for wall footings.  In addition, the trail wall will be cut for the new ramp and stair connection point.  A storm water tie-in will be required across the existing trail, which will require work on the existing trail including cutting the trail concrete, installing the storm water line across the trail, and then backfilling and pouring the trail concrete.  This work which will impact trail users will be scheduled and the community will be notified in advance.  The work is expected to be complete and open to the public within eight months, in spring of 2024.

  

  View of the access point at Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard under construction. The project will include a ramp and stair to the completed Beltline Westside Trail, a landscaped plaza, as well as pedestrian safety improvements for crossing Ralph David Abernathy. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

• 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.

  

  View of the access point at Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard under construction. The project will include a ramp and stair to the completed Beltline Westside Trail, a landscaped plaza, as well as pedestrian safety improvements for crossing Ralph David Abernathy. In this image, the contractor is narrowing the road width at South Gordon St SW to improve pedestrian safety when crossing the street. November 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Parker.

Enota Park

• Enota Park is an eight-acre park that will be built on the west side of Atlanta. A contract is in progress for 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 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 March 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 to be complete in January 2024.  Once design is 60% complete, real estate easements and purchases can be negotiated and finalized.

• 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. Contracting is underway for Construction Manager at Risk Services.  The construction manager 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 60% complete by March of 2024. A community meeting was held on November 6 at 6:30 p.m.  Download the presentation and view the meeting recording here.

• 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 January of 2024 with a construction start date in March or April of 2024. The construction schedule is expected to be 18 months.

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