The South's Next Streetcar System: Atlanta Streetcar

October 18, 2013

With a goal of spurring infill economic development in downtown and Sweet Auburn, the City of Atlanta (COA), the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID), and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) have teamed up to implement a modern streetcar transit system in Atlanta's urban core. Long time proponents of the streetcar's ability to stimulate economic development, Metro Jacksonville takes a look at what's coming to Atlanta.



The Atlanta Streetcar


This video provides a glimpse of the process utilized to take the Atlanta streetcar project from start to finish.

The Atlanta Streetcar is the result of a cooperative effort by the City of Atlanta, the business community and MARTA. Phase one of the Atlanta Streetcar will start at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site (King Center) and end at downtown Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park. The 2.7 mile system will include 12 stops/stations and cost $92.6 million to construct.  Operational costs are expected to be covered by fare box revenue, advertising, ADID, Atlanta car rental and hotel motel tax and federal funds. Construction began in early 2012 and service is scheduled to begin in early 2014.

The long-term vision for the proposed streetcar includes a north-to-south route from the Brookhaven MARTA station to Fort McPherson and an east-to-west route connecting The King Center to the Centennial Olympic Park area west of Peachtree Street.  Initial funding will kick start the first phase, focusing on the Downtown east-west route.  As they become available, additional federal funding opportunities will be pursued to further fund the streetcar’s expansion.  


Streetcars on Peachtree Street in Atlanta, early 1900s. Streetcar originally were a part of Atlanta's street scene from 1871 to 1949. Courtesy of the Library of Congress and Streetcars in Georgia at http://railga.com/oddend/streetrail/atlantastr.html


Phase one of the Atlanta Streetcar will start at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site (King Center) and end at downtown Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park.

This graphic illustrates the Atlanta Streetcar system will integrate with MARTA's heavy rail system and the future Beltline LRT loop. Courtesy of The TransportPolitic at http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Atlanta-Streetcar.jpg




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