Atlanta has come too far to stray from the proven choice that will connect 45 neighborhoods with high capacity transit.
This is part five of a six part series on why I believe Beltline Rail and in particular starting with the Streetcar East extension is crucial for the city’s future.
| Part One | Density |
| Part Two | Connectivity |
| Part Three | Congestion |
| Part Four | Equity |
| Part Five | Timeline and Economics |
| Part Six | Ensuring Success |
2.8 Billion Dollars. Yes, it’s a ton of money. It’s over 100 Million Dollars a mile. At the end of the day, it’s what we voted for. This is the cost of providing quality high-capacity transit. We need to have a serious conversation about how much infrastructure costs to build in America these days.
Let’s take a look at the cost of some other major projects in Georgia:
- GA 400 Express Lanes: 4.6 Billion Dollars
- I-285 Top End Express Lanes: 9 Billion Dollars
- I-20 / I-285 West Interchange Reconstruction: 1.2 Billion Dollars
- I-85 / North Druid Hills Interchange: 79 Million Dollars
While these may technically move more people, they will not provide the direct economic benefits. They do not provide people-centered movement. They also do not enhance connectivity within the City.
Construction costs are still rising. Waiting any longer will just lead to a higher bill. Meanwhile, our peer cities continue to pass us by. We have spent millions on repeated studies. We have already put infrastructure in place with mass grading, wider bridges, and utilities.
Once finished, Beltline rail will become the linchpin to the entire MARTA network. It will link all of the major lines and connect thousands of Atlantans to jobs and services. This will transform the network from the hub and spoke model to a well-rounded system.
If we pivot to starting with another segment, we’d be hard press to find another two mile stretch (if we’re trying to start with a similar cost) that would have anywhere near the same impact as the Eastside extension. Also, we’d be setting back the start of revenue service at least six to ten years. The Eastside extension is nearly shovel ready. We can’t afford to spin our wheels in the mud any longer – it’s already cost us enough. We must advance the designs of the next segments. This should happen as soon as the Beltline Transit Study wraps up next year.
To learn more about Transit on the Beltline visit: https://beltline.org/learn/progress-planning/transit/beltline-transit-study/
To support the fight for Beltline Rail visit: https://beltlinerailnow.com/
To read all my Atlanta articles visit: https://philveasley.com/atlanta-articles/
Phil Veasley is a Professional Engineer working to design safer multimodal infrastructure in cities throughout the US.
My goal is to create cities that are safe and effective for all people to move about outside of cars. To achieve that we have to focus on creating equitable, dense, and vibrant cities full of walkable neighborhoods with a various mix of housing choices, schools, restaurants, transit, and services. We cannot have safe multimodal infrastructure without the density to support it and we cannot have equitable density without safe multimodal infrastructure. Outside of designing safe streets, my passions are sketching ideas for infill neighborhoods, floor plans, urban photography, and exploring our cities on foot or bike. Please check out the menus above for all of my ideas and also check out my YouTube, Instagram, BlueSky Social, and Twitter accounts.
Opinions and insights are my own and are not representative of my employer or any organization.
Phil Veasley 
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