Beltline Southside Trail Moving Forward to Connect Eastside and Westside Trails (Atlanta: stats, safety)

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Wait, couldn't connecting Cobb to Atlanta via a PATH allow 'those people' to access Cobb and rape/pillage the residents?

Those urban people will be carrying stolen TVs back into the city on their bikes!

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Wait, couldn't connecting Cobb to Atlanta via a PATH allow 'those people' to access Cobb and rape/pillage the residents?

Strangely enough, "those people" have had cars for decades. Of course, the folks in Cobb who have their head in the sand haven't noticed those little trends.

[jsvh]

The first phase of the design of the Southside Trail, focusing just on the Bill Kennedy Way section which is particularly challenging, has been progressing very nicely. They have had a few rounds of public meetings now to narrow down the design. Yesterday they presented these (still not final) plans for a "shared street" design through Glenwood Park that would be a first in Atlanta. The community was very supportive of the plans. It looks very promising.

http://beltlineorg.wpengine.netdna-c...-7.25.16-1.pdf

[fourthwarden]

Man, that third pic really wanted to drive home the transit aspect. Two MARTA buses and a streetcar.

Anyway, these look nice! I can't believe I'm about to say this, but traffic sure seems like it'll be an issue. I fully support the neighborhood wanting to shift to a more 'local destination' kind of street, but I'll be surprised if the drivers stay with that vision, given the ramps and limited crossings of I-20 in that area.

I'm not sure what can realistically be done about that, other than closing the rams, and maybe building more bridges? Perhaps they could just move forward with the capping of that section if I-20, and reintroduce a lot of the removed street-grid?

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by jsvh

The first phase of the design of the Southside Trail, focusing just on the Bill Kennedy Way section which is particularly challenging, has been progressing very nicely. They have had a few rounds of public meetings now to narrow down the design. Yesterday they presented these (still not final) plans for a "shared street" design through Glenwood Park that would be a first in Atlanta. The community was very supportive of the plans. It looks very promising.

http://beltlineorg.wpengine.netdna-c...-7.25.16-1.pdf

Eastside of Bill Kennedy is ideal as it removes the conflict with the I-20 ramps.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

Anyway, these look nice! I can't believe I'm about to say this, but traffic sure seems like it'll be an issue. I fully support the neighborhood wanting to shift to a more 'local destination' kind of street, but I'll be surprised if the drivers stay with that vision, given the ramps and limited crossings of I-20 in that area.

I'm not sure what can realistically be done about that, other than closing the rams, and maybe building more bridges? Perhaps they could just move forward with the capping of that section if I-20, and reintroduce a lot of the removed street-grid?

I think this plan will end up being a great example of how you can cut down on traffic with road design. There is no miracle solution (well, yes, closing those ramps would do a lot to help) but I think this street will be very pleasant to travel down via any method. However, don't expect to roll along any faster than 10mph in a car. If you are trying to cut through you will quickly learn this area is a better place to live / visit than to try to quickly cut-through in a car.

Originally Posted by cqholt

Eastside of Bill Kennedy is ideal as it removes the conflict with the I-20 ramps.

Yes, that was one of the key things that was being evaluated and running the trail on the eastside was the obvious choice.

[ATLondoner]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

Man, that third pic really wanted to drive home the transit aspect. Two MARTA buses and a streetcar.

Anyway, these look nice! I can't believe I'm about to say this, but traffic sure seems like it'll be an issue. I fully support the neighborhood wanting to shift to a more 'local destination' kind of street, but I'll be surprised if the drivers stay with that vision, given the ramps and limited crossings of I-20 in that area.

I'm not sure what can realistically be done about that, other than closing the rams, and maybe building more bridges? Perhaps they could just move forward with the capping of that section if I-20, and reintroduce a lot of the removed street-grid?

One of those MARTA buses is clearly behind schedule

[arjay57]

I am okay with the shared street idea in appropriate circumstances.

There could be situations where the local taxpayers prefer not to have a zillion people walking or biking down their street.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I am okay with the shared street idea in appropriate circumstances.

There could be situations where the local taxpayers prefer not to have a zillion people walking or biking down their street.

There is always Cobb County for that. ^^^

[tikigod311]

Why would placing the trail on the west side even be considered?

Anyways, this looks way better than I expected. For some reason, I didn't think they would add on to the width of the bridge. With the extra room, this looks a lot more doable. Not sure if this or the Krog St crossing will be the crummiest part of the Beltline now...