Eastside Trail extension plans (Atlanta, Glenwood: how much, buses, bill)

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by StoicTao

The Eastside Trail was slammed full of walkers, runners, families, and bikes from Piedmont Park to Edgewood today. Many had to walk on the grassy areas to get around the trail. Makes me wonder if the trail will be able to handle increased density and removing the extra space for rail. Seems like a separate lane for bicycles is what is needed most? I saw a few “almost” accidents of bicyclists about to hit someone

I know a tax was passed to fund rail, but I haven’t heard a peep about the plans since... it’s been more than a year or two... all you read in the news as a casual observer is how poorly the Streetcar is doing. Not exactly inspiring confidence in the overall vision.

A counter point I might offer is that, if it truly becomes that crowded on a daily basis, the light rail component will be there to help handle some of that load.

Yes there are those who will want to walk / bike / skate / jog / etc. no matter what, but for those who are okay with it, the light rail will be there to offer alternatives, as well as extend potential trips to new places.

[MattCW]

The LRT won't make as much difference to the pedestrian demand as you think. If anything, it'll increase it as more people can come from farther out and they'll be headed to destinations between stations.

[wasel]

The multiple people walking abreast thing is annoying, and causes a lot of congestion, but I suppose nothing can really be done about that.

[magnetar]

The Beltline was packed during an unseasonably warm weekend in January. Surely this means certain doom!

[khs11]

I’ve always wished the Beltline would install lots more seating- picnic tables and the like. A great location would be just north of Ladybird, near the stairs to Highland. The EST is a destination on weekends more than a transportation corridor, a see and be seen attraction, but lots of those people would probably just as soon like to sit and watch at times. More seating would alleviate some of the congestion while obviously allowing people to rest, which I bet older and less mobile folks would really appreciate.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by MattCW

The LRT won't make as much difference to the pedestrian demand as you think. If anything, it'll increase it as more people can come from farther out and they'll be headed to destinations between stations.

Well, I wasn't so much stating that it would reduce the numbers of those walking, but rather simply provide an alternative for those who don't want to walk.

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by khs11

I’ve always wished the Beltline would install lots more seating- picnic tables and the like. A great location would be just north of Ladybird, near the stairs to Highland. The EST is a destination on weekends more than a transportation corridor, a see and be seen attraction, but lots of those people would probably just as soon like to sit and watch at times. More seating would alleviate some of the congestion while obviously allowing people to rest, which I bet older and less mobile folks would really appreciate.

You're right, the beltline is like a very long park. A few benches would go a long way toward reducing the amount of people walking at a time, while also providing a place to rest or just read a book or eat lunch.

[chabang]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

Well, I wasn't so much stating that it would reduce the numbers of those walking, but rather simply provide an alternative for those who don't want to walk.

Agree this is needed. I saw several Lance wanna-be's absolutely tearing down the beltline and weaving in and out of groups of people. I saw several near misses also. Bicyclists that want to ride like that need to get the hell off the beltline! It pisses me off to see them sideswipe toddlers, kids on tricycles,etc. with their full on Tour de France gear.

[arjay57]

Why not just put a tram on the Beltline for the time being and see how it goes? We don't need some huge multi-billion dollar monster for folks to scoot a mile or so to the next restaurant?

We could get a world class tram system up and going by this summer. Imagine buzzing along and feeling the warm summer breezes and seeing the views of the city skyline and the lovely surrounding neighborhoods. No fare, frequent stops, hop on and off at your pleasure.

If it turns out there's actually a demand for heavy duty mass transit we can look into it down the road.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Why not just put a tram on the Beltline for the time being and see how it goes? We don't need some huge multi-billion dollar monster for folks to scoot a mile or so to the next restaurant?

We could get a world class tram system up and going by this summer. Imagine buzzing along and feeling the warm summer breezes and seeing the views of the city skyline and the lovely surrounding neighborhoods. No fare, frequent stops, hop on and off at your pleasure.

If it turns out there's actually a demand for heavy duty mass transit we can look into it down the road.

Tram is the same thing as a streetcar.