MARTA’s Board of Directors voted Thursday to move forward with a two-mile extension of the Atlanta Streetcar.
The proposal extends the streetcar along Edgewood Avenue before traveling along the BeltLine up to Ponce City Market.
Thursday’s vote moves the project into the final design phase.
Before that vote, MARTA Board Chair Thomas Worthy talked about the opposition to the project.
“For all of you, that spoke against this, I hear you loud and clear. And I guarantee that my commitment to you is I will be asking the hard questions, but I will be voting in favor of this today because of exactly what we talked about that it’s Atlanta’s money and the Mayor has made this a priority.”
Some of the concerns brought up include the effects on BeltLine bikers and pedestrians, along with construction impacts on neighborhoods.
Board members heard from supporters and opponents during the public comment period.
Jay Miller laid out a number of reasons for the vote to be delayed including “There’s technology that’s available now, that is a lot more efficient, is quieter and cost a fraction of what this streetcar extension would cost”
BeltLine Rail Now’s Matthew Rao urged the board to move forward saying “There is always some opposition to large infrastructure investments in our future and there will always be some promise shiny new technology others would tell you is just beyond the horizon without bearing the burden of showing it in action anywhere. Let’s join the 15 other American cities actively expanding their light rail networks and streetcar systems.”
Thursday’s MARTA Board of Directors vote was 8-0 with 2 members abstaining.
The Atlanta Streetcar East Extension is one of the projects under the More MARTA program, which is a joint partnership between MARTA and the City of Atlanta.
A set of public updates on More MARTA has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 18 through Thursday, April 20.
More MARTA is not without its own controversy as the Atlanta City Council last month called for a financial audit of the program, which was first approved by Atlanta voters in a 2016 referendum.
That created a half-penny sales tax to fund billions in transit improvements and expansion in Atlanta.
In a statement, Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman says the quick action of the Council was necessary because of recent changes to the More MARTA project list.
Council President Doug Shipman said that the quick turnaround was necessary in the wake of recent developments surrounding the More MARTA project list, and a decision to re-prioritize the planning and construction of certain projects.
“Voters were promised specific projects would move forward and we still don’t know where these projects are. This audit will not be overly burdensome. This audit will repair trust between MARTA and the City of Atlanta, but more importantly, between MARTA and the Atlanta taxpayers”
MARTA fired back with its own statement calling the City Council’s position “disappointing and disingenuous.”
MARTA currently projects a 2027 completion date for the Atlanta Streetcar East Extension.
