Streetcar money breaks Atlanta transit losing streak
Source: City of Atlanta
After repeated setbacks, metro Atlanta has finally managed to win federal support and funding for a transit project. According to U.S. Rep. John Lewis, federal officials have agreed to commit $47 million to help build a east-west streetcar line connecting the Georgia World Congress Center, the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia State University and the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District.
The announcement is an important coup for the city and its mayor, Kasim Reed. However, it also represents an obligation to the larger metro region. Federal officials will be watching closely to see whether the city follows through on its part of the deal. City officials have already identified $16 million in funds for capital construction, leaving the project still $9 million short.
Failure to come through with that funding would bode poorly for the far larger transit requests that the metro region will be making to the federal government in years to come, from the Beltline to commuter rail and light rail.
In terms of transportation and economic development, though, the line in question makes a lot of sense, linking some of the city’s major tourist attractions and its major downtown hotel district. As the city’s application noted, it will also “reconnect the eastern and western sections of Downtown Atlanta, which were effectively separated by the construction of Interstate 75/85 in the mid 1950s.”
I’m a lot less certain about other proposed pieces of the proposed streetcar system, such as the north-south line up Peachtree Street. That strikes me more like an amenity than a transportation option, particularly with the MARTA line already running beneath Peachtree for much of its length. But of course, that perception could change if the east-west line proves a major success.
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113 comments Add your comment
Cutty
October 17th, 2010
5:30 pm
Funny Booger, I only see grand jury hearings in Gwinnett. But thats just me.
mitch
October 17th, 2010
6:45 pm
It should be known as the “Crackhead Connector.”
AJC Basher
October 18th, 2010
6:46 am
This project falls under the heading of “cute” — an existing Marta bus could run the same loop. What is needed is a Marta rail line from a park & ride at 675 up through Grant Park to the stadium up Piedmont to the Park and then east through Virginia Highland to Emory & the Emory med center on to Perimeter Mall. It would cost a fortune but would actually fill a need. The Emory liberals have blocked any idea of a Marta line heretofore.
Stella!
October 18th, 2010
7:10 am
Forensically speaking, Atlanta needs a Bullet Train…one that goes as fast as the Superman we’re waiting for. We have to build it now.
If not, we’re finished.
Atlas Shrugging
October 18th, 2010
9:25 am
I think it should be named “looters loop”..taxpayers are looted by the Feds and Fulton County and possibly looted again when they ride.
bronco
October 18th, 2010
9:48 am
This would open up tons of new territory for the tourists to go and get mugged…
interested observer
October 18th, 2010
10:23 am
I can’t see streetcars significantly helping Atlanta’s traffic problems, but I can see their operations running in the red, deep red, forever.
This strikes me as a waste of federal and state money.
joe
October 18th, 2010
10:31 am
sure, the deficit is in the trillions and our intelligent govt decides to allocate millions for a project that could easily be covered by MARTA. If we weren’t so in debt, then this would be great, but just not needed right now. For anyone saying this is great, then you just don’t get it. While digging my way out of debt ($40,000 and counting paid back so far), I didn’t spend ANY money on anything that wasn’t necessary. This way of thinking will be the only thing that gets us out of debt and on solid ground. If not, China will own Hawaii or some other key part of the US in the future. Wake up!
Joeventures
October 18th, 2010
2:17 pm
The midtown length of MARTA actually does not run underneath Peachtree, but is a couple of blocks offset from Peachtree. In either case, MARTA’s heavy rail line serves an entirely different purpose (and, for the most part, a different population) than a streetcar line along Peachtree would serve.
Henry
October 18th, 2010
3:27 pm
What is with all you people and your negative comments? Can we not celebrate “any” improvement to our community without you guys trashing it? Atlanta is a great place to live, and with your support and positive attitudes, it could be an even greater place to live. Get with the program and become an Atlanta booster, not the same old tired bluster!
jm
October 18th, 2010
5:23 pm
This is a fantastic start to some real transportation progress in this city. I have concerns about ridership, but this thing is needed to get the ball rolling in this city on real transportation options.
My only other point is this. Jay, I agree with you on the streetcar concept along Peachtree in Midtown. HOWEVER, from Arts Center station to Lenox Mall (and Buckhead MARTA station) would make a lot of sense along the Peachtree spine. It is high density, the road is beyond congested. So some portions make sense, others don’t.
jm
October 18th, 2010
5:23 pm
One other point. Hey, JOHN LEWIS FINALLY DID SOME WORK!! CRAZY!!
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