The South's Next Streetcar System: Atlanta Streetcar
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 https://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 https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Atlanta-Streetcar.jpg
One of four Atlanta Streetcars loaded onto a flatbed truck at the factory in California in 2012. Courtesy of the Atlanta Beltline at https://beltlineorg.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Atlanta-Streetcar-on-flatbed.jpg
Key features of the streetcar include:
- Potential for higher passenger loads
- Draw new transit riders
- Produces fewer emissions, impacting air quality and sustainability
- Reduces dependence on cars in a significant live-and-work corridor
- Appeals to visitors with its predictable fixed route
- Potential to increase ridership on connecting transit network
1.
The Atlanta Streetcar's first phase will end at downtown Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park.
2.
3.
Rich's
4.
Streetcar construction on Peachtree Street in the heart of downtown Atlanta.
5.
Auburn Avenue connects the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site (King Center) in Sweet Auburn with downtown Atlanta.
6.
Rails being installed in Auburn Avenue.
7.
At the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site (King Center), the loop utilizes Jackson Street to tie Auburn Avenue and Edgewood Avenue.
8.
Jackson Street, looking towards Edgewood Avenue.
9.
Looking west along Auburn Avenue towards downtown Atlanta.
10.
Edgewood Avenue. Streetcars will not operate within their own dedicated lanes. Instead, they will share lanes with vehicular traffic.
11.
Looking west along Edgewood Avenue near Interstates 75 and 85.
12.
Located at the corner of Edgewood and Jessie Hill, the Sweet Auburn Curb Market dates back to 1918. The market is the oldest and only public market in Atlanta and is open six days a week.
For more information: https://www.theatlantastreetcar.com/
Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com
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 https://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.
One of four Atlanta Streetcars loaded onto a flatbed truck at the factory in California in 2012. Courtesy of the Atlanta Beltline at https://beltlineorg.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Atlanta-Streetcar-on-flatbed.jpg
Key features of the streetcar include:
- Potential for higher passenger loads
- Draw new transit riders
- Produces fewer emissions, impacting air quality and sustainability
- Reduces dependence on cars in a significant live-and-work corridor
- Appeals to visitors with its predictable fixed route
- Potential to increase ridership on connecting transit network
1.
The Atlanta Streetcar's first phase will end at downtown Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park.
2.
3.
Rich's
4.
Streetcar construction on Peachtree Street in the heart of downtown Atlanta.
5.
Auburn Avenue connects the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site (King Center) in Sweet Auburn with downtown Atlanta.
6.
Rails being installed in Auburn Avenue.
7.
At the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site (King Center), the loop utilizes Jackson Street to tie Auburn Avenue and Edgewood Avenue.
8.
Jackson Street, looking towards Edgewood Avenue.
9.
Looking west along Auburn Avenue towards downtown Atlanta.
10.
Edgewood Avenue. Streetcars will not operate within their own dedicated lanes. Instead, they will share lanes with vehicular traffic.
11.
Looking west along Edgewood Avenue near Interstates 75 and 85.
12.
Located at the corner of Edgewood and Jessie Hill, the Sweet Auburn Curb Market dates back to 1918. The market is the oldest and only public market in Atlanta and is open six days a week.
For more information: https://www.theatlantastreetcar.com/
Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com