MARTA averages over 9000 boarding per station in 2014. (Atlanta, Marietta: apartment, condo)

[demonta4]

So we agree we need transit, but we're against it. What's the problem here?

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by MattCW

That's not true, not only did the proposals for HRT include trains from both directions, but the turn from southbound to eastbound is sharper than a northbound to eastbound curve would be.

It appears MARTA preferred the SB to EB, but early on did have a NB to EB alignment.
MARTA > About Marta > Planning

[primaltech]

I do think HRT would be a pretty brilliant solution.

Green Line would originate from the southbound platform at the Lindbergh hub station, then run alongside or under/over the railroad corridor, with only probably 4 new stops, at Cheshire, Briarcliff, Clifton Rd (Emory), and North Decatur. Then would loop down and into Edgewood, then west as normal thru Five Points, then up to a revamped/renamed Bankhead station, via a new Green-only infill station at Boone Blvd. Then possibly go one more stop, to a West Marietta St/ Perry Blvd station.

Blue Line would be the main east/west line, would go out to Stonecrest, and one more stop west, to 285 @ Boulder Park.

As far as noise, just run it underground for the sections where it goes near SFH.

[0nyxStation]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Numbers Box: MARTA Expansion: What does the data say?
This average puts MARTA above Chicago and Philly.
Instead of focusing on expansions, MARTA should continue it's push for TODs on parking lots.

DONT FORGET BENCHES!!!! Jeez man where are the benches at these stations??

[0nyxStation]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I've been re-reading this article and still wonder whether it makes sense to spend billions extending heavy rail lines out to very low density areas.

I dont think its a good idea. I dont want to see it expanded north at all, but south of the Blue Line would be great. If more stations could become like Peachtree Center station that would be great. I still think there are way too many dead zones on the line though. You look at the center 5 stations (5 Points, Peachtree Center, Garnett, GA State and CNN Dome) Peachtree Center seems to be the most dense with the most action going on around it. Garnett and GA State are dead zones even with the school being so close to GA State. 5 Points looks like Skid Row almost as terrible as the Grady Prison (Hospital) area. CNN Dome can be really busy when events are happening at the Dome, Arena, COP, but with no events = no taps. They can start right there in the middle of the system.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by 0nyxStation

I dont think its a good idea. I dont want to see it expanded north at all, but south of the Blue Line would be great. If more stations could become like Peachtree Center station that would be great. I still think there are way too many dead zones on the line though. You look at the center 5 stations (5 Points, Peachtree Center, Garnett, GA State and CNN Dome) Peachtree Center seems to be the most dense with the most action going on around it. Garnett and GA State are dead zones even with the school being so close to GA State. 5 Points looks like Skid Row almost as terrible as the Grady Prison (Hospital) area. CNN Dome can be really busy when events are happening at the Dome, Arena, COP, but with no events = no taps. They can start right there in the middle of the system.

Seeing as the majority of the population and employment centers are north of the Blue Line, it will eventually extended north. Your southside bias aside, majority of the metro area is north of I-20.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by alco89

Can you also explain why people are so darn opposed to the noise of a light-rail train when there are already freight trains rumbling through those neighborhoods.

They rammed MARTA lines and freeways through the middle of Buckhead and noise doesn't seem to be a problem. They've got tons of million dollar plus houses sitting right next to it.

[primaltech]

Once the lines extend northward and start to pick up more riders and commuters, the demand to transform the Garnett/ South Downtown area will intensify. I wholeheartedly agree that that area sucks and needs a rebirth. All those surface parking lots should be mixed use skyscrapers. It's in Downtown Atlanta, along Peachtree St, FFS. That's our Lower Manhattan.

Also they need to do a Mechanicsville station infill, at McDaniel St, halfway between Garnett and West End. Then start to develop and revitalize that whole neighborhood.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by arjay57

They rammed MARTA lines and freeways through the middle of Buckhead and noise doesn't seem to be a problem. They've got tons of million dollar plus houses sitting right next to it.

Do you think the 400 extension (and subsequent construction of the North Line) through Buckhead was a mistake?

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by Gulch

Do you think the 400 extension (and subsequent construction of the North Line) through Buckhead was a mistake?

No, it helped make Perimeter Center what it is today.