Atlanta City Council Authorizes BeltLine Transit Right-of-Way Reservation for Light Rail Expansion

ATLANTA, GA — The Atlanta City Council and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors finalized an intergovernmental agreement on Sunday afternoon to formally preserve the dedicated transit right-of-way along the 2.2-mile Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail corridor.

Right-of-Way Protection and Transit Integration

The ordinance establishes strict zoning overlay protections preventing permanent commercial or residential encroachments within the designated 24-foot transit median between Irwin Street in the Old Fourth Ward and Ponce City Market. The measure coordinates subterranean utility conduits, stormwater drainage, and overhead catenary electrical pole footings for the planned BeltLine streetcar light rail extension.

The transit line will connect the downtown Atlanta Streetcar network directly to the BeltLine, providing high-capacity rail connectivity between Midtown, Downtown, and historic Eastside neighborhoods.

"The BeltLine vision has always combined trails, green space, and world-class transit," Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said. "Preserving this right-of-way ensures we deliver equitable, accessible public transit that connects all Atlantans to jobs and opportunity."

Community Discussion and Multi-Modal Design

Urban mobility organizations praised the council vote, highlighting that streetcar rail transit along the BeltLine provides a reliable zero-emission alternative to congested east-west city arterials.

BeltLine engineering teams confirmed that the future rail tracks will be embedded with grass turf and permeable pavers, preserving the pedestrian trail aesthetic while accommodating electric rail transit.

Procurement Schedule

MARTA will issue the final Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for design-build civil engineering in early 2027.