Atlanta City Council is scheduled to vote Sept. 21 on a resolution supporting a $3.5 billion light-rail plan for the Atlanta Beltline, but the measure would not authorize construction or provide funding.
The city legislation reaffirms support for rail along the 22-mile corridor and asks Mayor Andre Dickens’ administration, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and Atlanta Beltline Inc. to deliver an implementation and financing plan by Jan. 26, 2027. It calls for quarterly progress reports and protection of land reserved for transit.
The Beltline Transit Study, completed after three and a half years, proposes three bidirectional routes: a full Beltline loop plus northern and southern loops connecting to downtown. Trains would operate from 6 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Each route would run every 20 minutes, with overlapping service producing 10-minute waits at platforms.
Planners project 4.2 million annual boardings and estimate the light-rail network would cost $3.5 billion in 2025 dollars. WSB-TV reported new MARTA stations connected to the route could add more than $1 billion. Officials have not identified a funding package or construction timeline.
The proposal revives a long-running dispute over transit on the Beltline. A city-MARTA-Beltline committee halted work on the Eastside streetcar extension in a closed meeting, while Dickens shifted attention toward the Southside Trail. Supporters say rail would connect neighborhoods, reduce car dependence and fulfill a promise to voters. Critics question the cost, projected ridership and whether tracks would crowd the walking and cycling path.
Councilmember Kelsea Bond’s resolution advanced through two committees and has 11 co-sponsors. It does not determine which segment would be built first.
Residents may review the study and submit comments through Nov. 3. Even if the council approves the resolution, further engineering, environmental review, agreements and funding would be required before construction begins.
