![]() Because of a lack of resources at the federal, state, regional and local level, the Atlanta Streetcar was not implemented in the best possible way. The Atlanta Streetcar was supposed to be part of a much larger transit network – not just a 2.7-mile, east-west leg floating on its own. Unfortunately, the Atlanta Streetcar has been unfairly maligned by public perception. ![]() It was a project spearheaded by Central Atlanta Progress and the City of Atlanta. Remember, the Atlanta Streetcar was developed by MARTA. It has been nearly 20 years since MARTA has developed any new rail projects. Third, this vote gives MARTA an opportunity to show it can get back into the business of building transit – especially rail. Map shows the route of the Atlanta Streetcar extension connecting and traveling along the Eastside BeltLine corridor. Oddly enough, the third city representative, Rod Mullice, wasn’t present for that important vote. During the April 13 meeting, fellow MARTA board members said they were voting in favor of the streetcar extension because they listened to the comments of Ide and Tzegaegbe, who stated the city’s position. Two of them – Jennifer Ide and Jacob Tzegaegbe – were appointed by Dickens. The City of Atlanta has three representatives on MARTA’s board. The City of Atlanta’s position on the Five Points MARTA Station has now become even more important in light of the 8-0 (with two abstentions) favorable streetcar vote. This could be a valuable precedent as other decisions for More MARTA projects are made – specifically the controversial $260 million plan to spend more than $200 million of More MARTA money to redo the Five Points Station.īoth Central Atlanta Progress, Atlanta city councilmember and the Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association oppose the project as currently designed. Because city taxpayers are paying for the 2.25-mile extension, the MARTA board rightfully followed the desire of Atlanta leaders. It is estimated that it will cost $230 million to extend the Atlanta Streetcar to Irwin Street where it will travel along the BeltLine north to Ponce de Leon Avenue. (ABI) leaders – made it clear they wanted rail rather than another mode of transit.Ĭity of Atlanta voters overwhelmingly passed the More MARTA half-penny in 2016. Second, the MARTA board voted to approve the project because City of Atlanta officials – namely Mayor Andre Dickens and Atlanta BeltLine Inc. The Atlanta Streetcar passes in front of Hurt Park and Georgia State University on April 17, 2023. More importantly, bus lines don’t have the same economic development impact as rail lines, which positively transform land use and the urban design of cities. While that may be a cheaper mode on the front end, BRT costs more to operate in the long run. ![]() That is reason enough to celebrate.Įvery other proposed rail project on the More MARTA list has been scaled back to bus rapid transit. ![]() ![]() The MARTA board voted to advance the eastern extension of the Atlanta Streetcar to Ponce City Market at its meeting on April 13 – a move that was significant on multiple levels.įirst of all, MARTA is moving to fulfill one of the key projects on the City of Atlanta’s More MARTA list with the mode that had been promised – a rail line. Celebrating MARTA’s vote to advance the Streetcar along the BeltLine - SaportaReport Close ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |