Atlanta Beltline Design and Construction Updates: May 2024

Below you will find recent updates and photos of each of our Atlanta Beltline projects in design or construction along with links to get more general information about each project. Additionally, you can explore current design and construction projects 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: 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 substantially complete and includes the replacement of 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. The Carriage Trail is open with temporary fencing; final handrails will be installed in June. Planting is complete.  The construction team is refurbishing the wooden Clear Creek bridge along the gravel rail trail.

  • Along Phase II, construction grading and wall work is ongoing within the corridor with granite cladding underway.

  • Phase III work, which includes pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of 10th and Monroe Drive, will be the last phase of work to start. Planning and logistics are in progress for this complex phase of work. The team is fine tuning the plans to minimize traffic impacts. The ABI project management team has met with several neighborhood groups and APS to coordinate on timing and phasing of work.  This work is expected to start in June, after school activities are minimized. To read more on the project, click here.

  • 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.

    

    Phase II: View under the Park Drive bridge. Back fill of soil against new retaining wall will provide a flat surface for the new trail. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

    

    Phase II: New access point under construction, connecting the trail to Piedmont Park, with a new connection and entrance gate into the dog park. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

• Northeast Trail – Segment 3: This federally funded 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 is 90% drawings complete. 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.

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. We have completed the sidewalk reconstruction, landscaping, and light pole installation throughout the project. All mast arms have been installed and the contractor is currently working with ATLDOT to switch over all traffic signal operations to the new signal heads and remove the old strain pole assemblies. Bike lane improvements will begin at the end of May with pavement striping to follow, continuing into mid-June. The contractor will begin construction on the Beltline access ramp as soon as GDOT approves the wall and materials submittals, currently under review.

• Updates are posted at www.beltline.org//learn/current-projects/ponce-streetscape.

  

  View of new streetscape work and completed refuge median next to Ponce City Market. Asphalt repair and striping work will follow. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

  

  New pedestrian refuge median under construction next to Ponce City Market, as a part of the Ponce Streetscape Project. Beltline bridge crossing is visible in the background. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

  

  View of completed streetscape sidewalk improvements at Ponce City Market, providing safer connectivity to the Beltline. New pedestrian crossing signals, and traffic lights on black mast arms have also been installed. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

Southside Trail

• Southside Trail – Segments 2 – 3: This trail segment is 1.9 miles and runs from McDaniel to Boulevard. A contractor has been executed with Reeves Young, and a Notice to Proceed was issued by ABI on April 29, 2024.  Construction mobilization started on May 20th. In order to protect tri-colored bat breeding habitat, federal restrictions on clearing are in place through July 31st.  This project achieved the highest level of federal funding possible at 80% of the total construction budget.  A community meeting was held on May 30th from 6:30pm – 8:00pm to introduce the contractor. This meeting can be viewed here.  ABI anticipates to have the trail construction wrapped by early 2026, to be followed by landscaping. Read more about how the acceleration of this trails segment, here.

• Southside Trail – Segments 4 – 5:  This trail segment runs from Boulevard to Glenwood and is 1.2 miles long.  Storm line installation is ongoing. The United Avenue bridge deck has been poured and the contractor will be working on the additional MSE walls in June. Work for the Ormewood Avenue bridge will continue throughout June. Reeves Young will also be continuing construction on the walls which will support the ramp up to Delmar throughout June.  The trail will remain closed for the duration of construction which is expected to last through spring 2025. Detour options can be found here.

  

  View of new pedestrian bridge under construction adjacent to and running parallel to the Ormewood Ave NE historic rail bridge. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

  

  View of new pedestrian bridge under construction adjacent to and running parallel to the Ormewood Ave NE historic rail bridge. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Current piles (driven piles) in the foreground of the new pedestrian bridge at Ormwood Ave. The piles will support the next bridge footing to be poured. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Granite cladding in progress on a retaining wall under construction along Ormewood Ave NE. This retaining wall will help provide an improved sidewalk connection under the bridge and to the Beltline. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  United Avenue pedestrian bridge, with steel in place, and concrete trail slab poured and complete. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Granite cladding under way on retention pond retaining walls, looking toward Glenwood Ave SE. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

• Southside Trail – Segment 6, Phase II:  This project will replace the interim condition and includes a new pedestrian bridge over I-20, running parallel to the existing vehicular bridge at Bill Kennedy Way.  The trail section running through Glenwood Park will also be improved to meet Beltline trail standards.  The design of this project kicked off with the community during an ABI Study Group meeting on March 25th.  The engineering team is currently developing typical cross sections and options for the street and trail composition and alignment.  A Study Group meeting will be scheduled this summer when the concepts are ready to present.  The project will be completed in two phases: Phase 1 will include work in the ATDOT right of way which is expected to start in summer of 2025, followed by work in the GDOT right of way in summer of 2026.

• 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. Steel has now been placed on all five bridges, or elevated trail sections and on four of the bridges concrete has now been poured. Stone is being installed under bridges and final grading is taking place between Washington Park and Washington Manor. The fiber duct bank is complete from Lena to Washington Manor and will be progressing to Mason Turner.  We are also working on duct bank and grading along the portion of the trail on historic rail bed, also called the kudzu trail.  Final grading at Lena is continuing with our first on-grade pour scheduled in late May or early June. The stone walls at Donald Lee Hollowell underpass are also underway.   This project is expected to be complete in summer of 2025.

  

  Retaining wall has been installed to raise the grade of the trail to meet the elevated trail section seen in the background, looking towards Washington Park. The contractor is installing granite cap stones and connection points for a stainless steel railing. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  View of future ramp connection under construction providing connection from the Beltline trail up to Donald Lee Hollowell. The steel structural work is complete and decking is in place. Concrete will be poured soon. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Detailed view of future ramp connection under construction providing connection from the Beltline trail up to Donald Lee Hollowell. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  View of completed elevated trail sections, tied into a section of trail on grade that meets up at the elevation of the adjacent neighborhood sidewalks. Railing installation will start soon. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Elevated trail with decking, being prepared for a concrete pour. Photo taken 05/31/2024. 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. All walls for ramp system have been poured and backfill has begun. Subgrade masonry work for ramps proceeding and granite facing will follow. Safety railing and handrail delays are a concern because of volume of ABI projects requiring product and single vendor resource. Project end date is still tracking for late July.

  

  View of new staircase looking down towards the existing Westside Trail. Granite cladding work is in progress. Electrical conduit for lighting has been roughed in. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

  

  View of new ramp to provide an accessible route, also useful for bicycles, strollers and people on any type of wheels. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

• Ralph David Abernathy Complete Streets: This is a streetscape improvement project in the heart of the West View business district. The project is approximately 800 feet in length and includes parking and protected bicycle lanes.  All new sidewalk/drives, ADA ramps, granite curb and below grade electrical infrastructure are complete. We are scheduled to start milling and paving operation as well as Phase II construction activities (protected bike lane median, landscaping) along RDA (north & southbound) on June 6th. Punch work to repair adjacent building’s stucco veneer, clean sidewalks/buildings, and install water diversion curb on a building on the east side of RDA will complete in next 30-days. Project end date is anticipated is late August, including time for permanent striping and signage to be installed and allowing cure time for new asphalt.

  

  View of completed streetscape work, with trees and lighting to follow. With the wider sidewalks, local businesses have been able to add outdoor seating. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Completed street scape work in the Westview commercial district. New pedestrian crossing signals have been installed and the curbline has been bulbed out to narrow the crossing distance for pedestrians. Photo taken 05/31/2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

  

  The contractor is completing final clean up and stucco repair. Trees and streetlights will follow. Photo taken 05/31/2024. 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 was executed for a Construction Manager for Enota Park, and the award went to Reeves Young. Now that the construction team is on board, the project budget will be confirmed and any required adjustments to the design will be completed to maintain the budget before construction is released to begin. ABI is working with the City of Atlanta to address revisions to real estate parcels within the park and finalizing construction permitting.  Construction is funded and targeted to start in fall of 2024. The project construction schedule is expected to be 16 months, with an anticipated start date dependent upon permitting.

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. Although the contractor has not physically mobilized, construction work is underway. We have begun to procure various parts of the project such as the bridge over Peachtree Creek as well as the materials for the retaining walls along the corridor and all elevated trail sections. The acquisition of easements is ongoing and once complete, we will start at the Peachtree Park Apartment complex at the beginning of Q3.

• 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. The design drawings are 60% complete. Achieving this milestone allows real estate purchases and easements to begin.

• 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 the end of May 2024. A contract has been awarded to Astra Group 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. The section of the trail between Trabert and Northside has started construction.

• 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. The 60% drawings are complete which releases real estate to begin property purchases and easements. Coordination with the Department of Watershed Management and other property owners has been very productive and the alignment for this segment has been confirmed. We will be splitting Segment 4 into two parts called Section 1 and Section 2.  We are currently soliciting a construction manager for Section 1 from English Street to Howell Mill.

• 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 complete.  The construction contract for this segment has been signed and the Notice to Proceed was issued on May 20th, 2024. The project is under construction and the contractor is expected to mobilize in June.

Beltline Transit Study

• This planning project, primarily focused on determining a preferred transit alignment in the NW Beltline quadrant where there is no abandoned railroad corridor, also intends to identify stop locations and generalized cross-sections in the SW and SE quadrants of the Beltline corridor. The overall study area is looking at 13-14 miles of future light-rail/streetcar transit corridor, tying into the NE Beltline quadrant planning work previously performed by MARTA in 2021. The effort is guided by principles of equity and the goal of developing a world-class network of high-capacity transit in a green guideway wherever possible.

• Since the October 2nd kick-off meeting, we have been coordinating outreach with the community via multiple forums, including the State of the Beltline, an Equity Stakeholder Committee, 3 small-group roundtables, multiple Pop-Up engagements on weekends, etc. We expect to have sufficient substance for another public meeting this summer.

• The project will be supportive of the concept of infill stations, as has recently been brought to the conversation by Mayor Dickens, but the study does not yet have any work started on this front yet.

You can view April’s Design and Construction updates here. Our first Quarterly Briefing of 2024 was held virtually on February 8th. You can watch the meeting on the Atlanta Beltline’s YouTube channel.  Join our Second Quarterly Briefing on Thursday, June 12, 2024.