Atlanta Beltline Design and Construction Updates: February 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 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

• This planning project, primarily focused on determining a preferred transit alignment in the NW Beltline quadrant where there is no abandoned railroad corridor. It 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, three small-group roundtables, multiple Pop-Up engagements on weekends, etc. The project runs through June 2025 with numerous engagement points along the way.

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. This section of trail has been poured to Evelyn Street. Lighting and camera installation will follow along with planting work, the latter of which will begin in early March. ABI is working to open this section of trail early, with temporary barriers in place while we wait for handrails to be delivered and installed. The wooden Clear Creek bridge along the gravel trail will be refurbished once this section of trail is opened for use.

  • Along Phase II, construction crews have completed erosion control measures, tree clearing and stump removal. Storm water, walls, and grading work is underway.

  • 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. Planning and logistics are in progress for this phase of work. Reeves Young has applied for the traffic and sidewalk permits for 10th and Monroe. We are working towards a start date in March for this work. One the permits are received from the City, logistics and phasing plans for the intersection will be shared with the community.

  • 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.

    

    Lighting and security cameras in progress in Piedmont Park looking north towards Westminster Dr., NE. February 22, 2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

    

    Completed mainline trail and connections to existing Piedmont Park trails. February 22, 2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

    

    Gravity wall construction to terrace the grade to support trail construction. View from Park Drive bridge. Photo by ABI Staff.

• Northeast Trail – Segment 2: This trail is open to the public with follow-on projects and punch list work underway, all of which is expected to be complete in March. Construction is wrapping up for a connecting sidewalk at the north end of the trail at Mayson Street, with minor drainage work remaining that is expected to be complete by the end of February. Landscape installation is in progress and will continue 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. Selig will set the opening date for the connecting bridge.

  

  Connecting sidewalk nearing completion on Mason Street NE, which ties into the north end of Northeast Trail 2. February 22, 2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Trees staged for planting by Trees Atlanta to expand the 22-mile arboretum. February 22, 2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

• 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 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. A total of 16 real estate parcels will require agreements with property owners.  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. Work currently in progress constructing the last sections of sidewalk between Glen Iris and Ford Factory Lofts/725 Ponce. This work should continue through the end of March, followed by median construction and traffic signal installation. The contractor will begin construction on the Beltline access ramp as soon as GDOT approves the wall and materials submittals, currently under review. This project is currently anticipated to complete in June of 2024. Updates are posted at here.

  

  Streetscape projects provide access to the Beltline for everyone. February 22, 2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

  

  Newly completed connecting sidewalk and pedestrian lighting. February 22, 2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

Southside Trail

• Southside Trail – Segments 2 – 3: The construction of Segments 2 and 3 has been released to bid.  Construction bids were received on February 27th and are under review by ABI. The goal is to begin trail construction in late spring of 2024, with a twenty month construction schedule. If construction starts by May 2024, ABI anticipates to have the trail construction wrapped by December 2025, to be followed by landscaping. This project achieved the highest level of federal funding possible at 80% of the total construction budget.

• Southside Trail – Segments 4 – 5: Current activities include the continuation of storm line installation. Installation of temporary shoring at United Avenue has begun and the existing bridge abutments have been removed. Pile driving for bridge bents at Ormewood Avenue is ongoing, along with the column pours. Pile driving for the new bridge at United is expected to begin the last week of February and continue through March and April. The contractor will also be continuing construction on the walls which will support the ramp up to Delmar.  The trail will remain closed for the duration of construction which is expected to last through spring 2025. Detour options can be found here.

  

  Wood lagging wall and soldier piles installed in preparation for the construction of a ramp access to Delmar. February 22, 2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  View of work at United Ave to remove existing bridge abutments. February 22, 2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Steel H-piles within new abutment wall footing formwork at United Ave. These foundations will support a new abutment wall and trail bridge. February 22, 2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Removal of soil behind the remaining abutment wall at United Ave to allow for demolition. February 22, 2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

  

  Installation of storm piping to manage water on the completed trail site. February 22, 2024. Photo by Kerri Parker.

• Manford Road Streetscapes: This project includes the construction of 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. The contractor has received all permits and expects to begin construction in March. Work should take no more than six weeks to complete.

• 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. The contractor continues to construct retaining walls and has started installing granite cladding on walls along the corridor. Steel has now been placed on bridges four of the elevated trail sections (or bridges), with the steel for the remaining two sections expected to be set in March. The first elevated trail section near Washington Park has been poured.  The second elevated trail section connecting over to Washington Manor, consists of three scheduled concrete pours: the first was poured on February 21st with the second scheduled for March 13th.  Trail grading, the installation of storm water management infrastructure, and duct banks for future fiber is also underway.  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. A public community virtual meeting is scheduled for February 26 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. for Westside Trail and Westside Park updates. Download the presentation.

  

  Backfill in progress at an on grade section of trail between two elevated trail sections (bridges). February 22, 2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

  

  Poured concrete trail on elevated structure (bridge) facing Washington Park. February 22, 2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

  

  Elevated trail with reinforcing steel (rebar) installation in progress, facing Washington Manor. February 22, 2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

  

  Elevated trail with reinforcing steel (rebar) installation in progress, facing Washington Manor. February 22, 2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

• 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.  At the South Gordon island work, subgrade and granite curb are being corrected from water damage caused by fiber utility contractor rupturing a sewer purge tank.  Weather is hampering repairs in this location, so the sidewalks in this area may not be poured until March 11th.  Footings have been poured for walls at the location of the stair and ramp footings have been undercut and backfilled.  The contractor is work to schedule the concrete pour for the footings for the ramp by the start of March.  The contractor is also cleaning up step footings leading up the street.  The work is expected to be complete and open to the public within eight months, in summer of 2024.

  

  Foundation work underway for new stair providing access to the Beltline for the Westview community. February 22, 2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

  

  New sidewalks providing access from South Gordon Street to a forthcoming crosswalk across Ralph David Abernathy, providing safe access to the Beltline. February 22, 2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

• 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. Demolition of existing curb and sidewalks from Lucile Avenue to Fire Station #17 (across from Willard Avenue) on the east side of RDA is complete, new curb is set, and sidewalks re-poured in same area. Crews have moved to the west side of RDA and started demolition of existing curb and sidewalks across the Ke’nekt lot and Mizutek lot up to the Westview Lofts. The contractor will be installing lighting conduit for CoA inspection and plans on making a concrete pour in this area by March. Next, the contractor will be mobilizing starting at the Slutty Vegan (west side of RDA) at East Ontario Avenue on March 11th, weather permitting.  A public community meeting is scheduled to take place virtually for the RDA projects and Enota Park on February 1 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Download the presentation or view the meeting recording here.

  

  Demolition of existing sidewalks and curbs for a new streetscape in the historic WestView commercial district. February 22, 2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

  

  New crosswalk across Ralph David Abernathy for students at Kipp Strive Academy. February 22, 2024. Photo by ABI Staff.

Enota Park

• Enota Park is an eight-acre park that will be built on the west side of Atlanta. A contract is 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. Budget pricing is expected in early March.  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 2024. The project construction schedule is expected to be 16 months, with an anticipated start by the second quarter of 2024. A public community meeting is scheduled to take place virtually for the RDA projects and Enota Park on February 1 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Download the presentation or view the meeting recording here.

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 90% drawings for this segment and a cost model has been completed for the project. We have begun to procure various parts of the project such as the bridge over Peachtree Creek, the materials for the retaining walls along the corridor as well as the elevated trail structure.  The acquisition of real estate easements is ongoing and once complete we will be in a position to begin early enabling work at the Peachtree Park Apartment complex, targeting a start date at the beginning of Q2.  This enabling work will allow the main trail project to begin in earnest unencumbered.

• 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% drawings will be complete at the end of February. 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 60% complete by 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.  We are permitting a section of the trail between Trabert Avenue and Northside Drive and hope to begin work on that small section starting in March.  The next drawing milestone on segment 3 is the 60% set scheduled for the end of March.

• 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. 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 have begun early land procurement for this segment.  The 60% set of drawings is due at the end of March.

• 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 0.8 miles. Real estate work is coming to an end in Q1. The project has been posted for bid and we are targeting construction to begin in May. The construction schedule is expected to be 14 months.

You can view December’s design and construction update 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.