MARTA to make an $8 billion pitch to change the face of Atlanta (Marietta: expensive, map of)

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

So, we'll have $2.5 Bil. to work with within the city for MARTA (I think that's only the .5% increased MARTA tax and matched by the feds). So, with that, here're some potential project costs:

• MMPT - $1.5 Bil.
• West Side HRT extension - $.400 Bil.
• Phase 1 Streetcar (11.3 miles) - $.906 Bil.
• Phase 2 Streetcar (7.9 miles) - $.681 Bil.
  

The streetcar phasing may not be the final route plans, but they give a good cost for the mileage estimate and generally follow where the lines would go.

So, we could build the West Side HRT extension and 19 miles of Streetcars with ~$500 Mil. left for ART, backing the MMPT, or any other set of extensions we want.

That's not a bad deal at all. Especially if the city adds another .5% TSPLOST on top of that.

Forget the MMPT, that is a state project and unless the state is paying at least 1/2, the CoA should not fund it alone.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by primaltech

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7532.../data=!3m1!1e3
Not seeing any buildings there. You'd have to demolish a rusted chain link fence at the corner of Krog St and DeKalb. That's nothing.

But yes, true there would be a lot of expense in purchasing the properties, and for working with GDOT to move the roadway.

But even still, a heavy rail infill right there would make a lot of sense IMO. That way it gives a Beltline east side a good connection point and a good place to end Phase 1 LRT. Also creates a diagonal connection in the main MARTA high-capacity rail system.

I was referring to Krog at DeKalb. But this location brings up a huge issue, the grade necessary to get the LRt line to the current HRT would be very long and interfere with Edgewood Ave Bridge. Either way, your plan was not part of the LPA and would require additional years to qualify for federal funds.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Forget the MMPT, that is a state project and unless the state is paying at least 1/2, the CoA should not fund it alone.

If we put a full $500 Mil. towards the MMPT, then got the State to pitch in $500 Mil. , we could then get the feds to match the state's contribution.

It MIGHT just be enough to force the state's hand to actually act on it. Then again, frogs may rain from the sky.

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

So, we'll have $2.5 Bil. to work with within the city for MARTA (I think that's only the .5% increased MARTA tax and matched by the feds). So, with that, here're some potential project costs:

• MMPT - $1.5 Bil.
• West Side HRT extension - $.400 Bil.
• Phase 1 Streetcar (11.3 miles) - $.906 Bil.
• Phase 2 Streetcar (7.9 miles) - $.681 Bil.
  

The streetcar phasing may not be the final route plans, but they give a good cost for the mileage estimate and generally follow where the lines would go.

So, we could build the West Side HRT extension and 19 miles of Streetcars with ~$500 Mil. left for ART, backing the MMPT, or any other set of extensions we want.

That's not a bad deal at all. Especially if the city adds another .5% TSPLOST on top of that.

For less than a billion of the funds, it would be great to see a Blue Line extension 1 station west to 285, and a Green Line extension, 1 station north to Perry Blvd/ West Marietta St.

Also I wonder how much a Mechanicsville infill station on the Red/Gold would cost to do. Probably only 200 million, since it could be very very basic, and the track is already there.

So maybe you could walk away with 3 new stations on all 4 of the lines, for 1 billion.

[MattCW]

The existing VMF can only hold 6 vehicles, far less than required for any beltline service or much beyond the extension to the east, and a bit of an extension in downtown. Also, Hulsey is not going away for a very very long time if ever.

[tikigod311]

This could turn out really well.

The way this bill is shaping up, it sounds like MARTA is going to take over the streetcar. That's something so many of us have wanted to see for so long.

The Mayor is going to be able to sell the streetcar plans well. What many people don't realize is, the Beltline has been in the process of environmental studies for specific routes. They have been planning as if funding was inevitable. We're already a good way in on the process to make this a reality. They're going to be able to deliver on this investment relatively quickly. That makes for a good sell to the voting public.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

This could turn out really well.

The way this bill is shaping up, it sounds like MARTA is going to take over the streetcar. That's something so many of us have wanted to see for so long.

The Mayor is going to be able to sell the streetcar plans well. What many people don't realize is, the Beltline has been in the process of environmental studies for specific routes. They have been planning as if funding was inevitable. We're already a good way in on the process to make this a reality. They're going to be able to deliver on this investment relatively quickly. That makes for a good sell to the voting public.

Atlanta probably gets more streetcar than they would if it was a Fulton/DeKalb thing. Then it would be more HRT most likely.

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by bu2

Atlanta probably gets more streetcar than they would if it was a Fulton/DeKalb thing. Then it would be more HRT most likely.

And that makes sense. Heavy rail is like commuter rail that serves the region. Atlanta has needed its own urban rail transit in the city, and the streetcar could very well be that. If it's done right.

[TheTravelinMan]

Originally Posted by primaltech

And that makes sense. Heavy rail is like commuter rail that serves the region. Atlanta has needed its own urban rail transit in the city, and the streetcar could very well be that. If it's done right.

I don't want to rain on the streetcar parade here because I do love streetcars. However I will say that heavy rail is *not* 'like commuter rail that serves the region'. Streetcars are very nice for moving around within neighborhoods or areas of the city but you still need heavy rail to move from one area of the city to another.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by TheTravelinMan

I don't want to rain on the streetcar parade here because I do love streetcars. However I will say that heavy rail is *not* 'like commuter rail that serves the region'. Streetcars are very nice for moving around within neighborhoods or areas of the city but you still need heavy rail to move from one area of the city to another.

Barring a return to 1970s-era federal funding levels, we will never see brand new HRT lines in the City of Atlanta in our lifetimes. MARTA will pretty much only extend existing lines.