MARTA to make an $8 billion pitch to change the face of Atlanta (downtown, road)

[TheTravelinMan]

Originally Posted by Gulch

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.

That may unfortunately be true but we can do a little extending of the lines we do have.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by TheTravelinMan

That may unfortunately be true but we can do a little extending of the lines we do have.

Yes, extensions of existing HRT lines are feasible.

[primaltech]

Well, because the heavy rail system is so simple and bare-bones, some extensions could basically be new lines. You could still branch from Arts Center up I-75 corridor. That would be a new line. Though it isn't going to happen.

You could take the Green line from Edgewood station, then loop it up through North Decatur and the Emory corridor, Briarcliff, Cheshire Bridge, and then Lindbergh. But that was not the chosen Locally Preferred Alternative for the Clifton corridor, so probably not going to happen. (And that will only be within the city limits if that area ever becomes annexed.)

I've also seen ideas about taking the Green line at Bankhead, and looping that up to Lindbergh, via stops at Howell Mill and Atlantic Station. But no official plans to do that. Probably not even feasible without an expensive tunnel.

And for that matter, it probably wouldn't be impossible to make the east side Beltline an elevated heavy rail. At least from a technical standpoint.

Anything's possible, but local preferences + limited funds + realism will make it unlikely that we'll ever see much more heavy rail in the city. Except for modest extensions on the west side, and maybe a few infill stations. Which really wouldn't be bad.

Like the Mayor said, light rail is where it's going to be at for Atlanta. So the end result will be an eclectic mix of literally every kind of transportation mode, and every kind of transit mode and vehicle type. Which will be cool, and unique. Most large cities either only have heavy rail, or have no heavy rail. I think Atlanta and Los Angeles are the only 2 where it's going to end up a mix of light and heavy.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by primaltech

Well, because the heavy rail system is so simple and bare-bones, some extensions could basically be new lines. You could still branch from Arts Center up I-75 corridor. That would be a new line. Though it isn't going to happen.

It could happen, but only in conjunction with an extension far into Cobb County (a Cumberland-only extension would be too expensive for the amount of service provided). That won't happen until most of us are collecting Social Security.

You could take the Green line from Edgewood station, then loop it up through North Decatur and the Emory corridor, Briarcliff, Cheshire Bridge, and then Lindbergh. But that was not the chosen Locally Preferred Alternative for the Clifton corridor, so probably not going to happen. (And that will only be within the city limits if that area ever becomes annexed.)

Lots of tunneling would be required.

I've also seen ideas about taking the Green line at Bankhead, and looping that up to Lindbergh, via stops at Howell Mill and Atlantic Station. But no official plans to do that. Probably not even feasible without an expensive tunnel.

Yep.

And for that matter, it probably wouldn't be impossible to make the east side Beltline an elevated heavy rail. At least from a technical standpoint.

Political non-starter (much like MattCW's push to run commuter rail down the Eastside Trail).

Anything's possible, but local preferences + limited funds + realism will make it unlikely that we'll ever see much more heavy rail in the city. Except for modest extensions on the west side, and maybe a few infill stations. Which really wouldn't be bad.

Pretty much, plus I'd like to see what we do have in the city be better utilized through more TODs.

Like the Mayor said, light rail is where it's going to be at for Atlanta. So the end result will be an eclectic mix of literally every kind of transportation mode, and every kind of transit mode and vehicle type. Which will be cool, and unique. Most large cities either only have heavy rail, or have no heavy rail. I think Atlanta and Los Angeles are the only 2 where it's going to end up a mix of light and heavy.

The Bay Area with BART/MUNI is another example.

[TheTravelinMan]

Well the main thing is that the Blue line needs to be extended west to Fulton Industrial. And the Green line from Bankhead can be extended up parallel to Marietta Blvd.

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by primaltech

MARTA should take over the streetcar completely, if only for one reason: it then itself becomes MARTA light rail.

The official rail map shouldn't just show which heavy rail stations connect with the streetcar. It should show the entire Phase 1 plan (at least), as rail lines and rail stations. (Thinner lines, smaller dots and fonts than heavy rail.) So people can see it all at a glimpse and make quick sense of where they can go on MARTA.

But, admittedly, that goes hand in hand with making the streetcar a quality rail service. Need much better headway, sped up everything, signal priority, the works.

Somebody around here posted a proposed map of existing MARTA rail + streetcar + arterial bus routes. Anyone know where it is?

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by toll_booth

Somebody around here posted a proposed map of existing MARTA rail + streetcar + arterial bus routes. Anyone know where it is?

[toll_booth]

Yes, that! God, what a beaut

[primaltech]

So let's talk about this "elevated light rail" possibility in the city, that the Mayor hinted at. He specifically mentioned elevated, as in above the traffic/roadway. So let's talk about that.

Where would it run? Are the possibilities endless? Or are the possibilities really limited?

Besides the Beltline, which would only need to run at-grade to be separated from traffic.

Maybe a light rail line built above North Avenue?

[TheTravelinMan]

Brilliant work! Such a lovely map - would be a dream come true if became reality.