Information AboutBelt Line |
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The Belt Line (or sometimes '''Beltline''') is a proposed Light Rail or possibly Heavy Rail ( Metro ) line around the core of Atlanta . Using existing Rail Track s, it aims to improve not only Transport ation, but to add Green Space and promote Redevelopment . CONCEPT The Concept originated with a 1999 Masters Degree Thesis by Georgia Tech Student Ryan Gravel, who now heads the Non-profit Friends Of The Belt Line . Supported by Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin , previous City Council President Cathy Woolard , and many others in Atlanta's large Business Community , the idea grew rapidly during 2003 and 2004 . The Railroad tracks and Right-of-way are owned mostly by CSX Transportation , Norfolk Southern , and the Georgia Department Of Transportation . Developer Wayne Mason has purchased most of the NS portion, in anticipation of the Belt Line. The total length will be 22 Mile s or just over 35 Kilometer s, running about 3 miles (5km) on either side of Atlanta's elongated Downtown . It is planned to include a neighborhood-serving transit system (likely streetcars), Footpath s for non-motorized traffic, including Bicycling , Rollerskating , and Walking and the redevolpment of some 2,544 acres. The project (although not the Funding for it) is included in the 25-year Mobility 2030 plan by the Atlanta Regional Commission , for improving transit from 2005 to 2030 . PARK COMPONENT The BeltLine plan calls for the creation of a series of parks throughout the city creating what the working plan, ''The Beltline Emerald Necklace'' {Link without Title} , calls the thirteen "Beltline Jewels". These would be connected by the trail and transit components of the plan. The Trust For Public Land first identified areas that would be appropriate for parkland, and spured the inclusion of the park component in the current plan. The Trust is currently active in acquiring land for the project, which it intends to sell to the city after bonds have been issued from the beltline TAD . The plan would expand these existing parks
and create these new parks
MULTI-USE TRAILS The Beltline would feature a continuous path encircling the central part of the city, generally following the old railroad right of way, but departing from it in several areas along the Northwest portion of the route. The PATH foundation, which has many years of experience building such trails in the Atlanta area, is an integral partner in the development of this portion of the system. TRANSIT ELEMENTS The original focus of the belt-line thesis was on establishing a Light Rail link around the central portion of the city. MARTA , the Atlanta regional transit agency, has undertaken an ''Inner Core Study'' to determine the best transit opportunities in the Belt Line area. The study includes the Belt Line proposal, a " C-Loop " proposal that would rely largely on highway and street right of way, and several other potential alignments to determine an optimal transit proposal. The study is also evaluating different technologies, including so-called Bus Rapid Transit bus systems which are currently a fad with transportation planners in Atlanta. USAGE ISSUES While the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (which runs the MARTA system) is excited about the surface-level addition to its existing above-ground and Subway system, GDOT has reservations, as the lines it previously purchased were intended for use as Commuter Rail connections. CSX also is concerned, as Passenger Train s would have to pass through a major regional Railyard , intermingling with Freight trains and possibly causing issues of delays and potential Liability . DISCONTINUITIES There are five gaps along the Beltline where rights of way do not connect and thus create larger challenges to the project.
TIMELINE
Forthcoming
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