Atlanta Beltline Opens Final Piece of Trail Ahead of FIFA, Connecting East and West
The Atlanta Beltline has reached its most major milestone to date.
- Design & Construction
- Parks & Trails
On June 12th, Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta Beltline, Inc. President & CEO Clyde Higgs, elected officials and community members gathered to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Southside Trail Segments 2 + 3. This vital section stretches 1.9 miles from Pittsburgh Yards® in southwest Atlanta to Boulevard, tying together previously completed segments and creating a U-shaped path around the city’s core.
The Southside Trail links 12 neighborhoods to the east and west sides of Atlanta, including Boulevard Heights, Capitol View Manor, Peoplestown, Chosewood Park, and the Villages at Carver. It also connects several Atlanta Public Schools, including Slater Elementary School, Carver Early College High School, Carver High School, and Barack and Michelle Obama Academy.
Uniting Atlanta Through “the U”
Residents of these neighborhoods are now provided with a safe, accessible route for everyday travel—whether commuting to work, getting to school, running errands, or simply spending time outdoors. More than a trail, the Beltline continues to become part of daily life for the communities it reaches, making it easier for people to move through Atlanta without a car while bringing neighborhoods closer together.
The new section connects to the Southeast Trail, which opened in April 2026, and joins with the Eastside and Westside Trails. This completion marks a pivotal moment for the Beltline project, as a total of 36 neighborhoods in Northwest, Westside, Southside, Eastside and Northeast Atlanta are now connected for the first time by Beltline trail.
A Turning Point
With the completion of these segments, Atlantans and visitors are able to travel nearly 17 continuous miles from Armour Yards in South Buckhead down through Piedmont Park, Old Fourth Ward, Grant Park, Pittsburgh Yards®, Lee + White, Washington Park, Shirley Clarke Franklin Park and up to Blandtown. 10.3 miles of connector trails are also complete, including the 1.6-mile Westside Connector Trail, which links to downtown Atlanta and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“This is the 20th anniversary of the Atlanta Beltline, and we continue to fulfill the promise made decades ago that the Beltline would be for all of Atlanta,” said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. “We couldn’t do what I call ‘the People’s Project’ without the help of all our partners, who include federal, state and local funding sources, philanthropic partners as well as all Atlantans. We’re thankful for everyone’s belief in our vision and support in getting us to this milestone.”
What was once an abandoned rail corridor is now a growing network that bridges neighborhoods, expands opportunity, and transforms how people experience Atlanta. Each newly opened trail segment brings the Beltline one step closer to a more connected, accessible, and vibrant city where everyone can thrive.
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