How to make the Beltline even better

Events have overtaken us.

The vision of a rail loop is giving way to hard realities. Meanwhile, the actual Beltline has grown into the Emerald Necklace that many had hoped it would become.

It connects parks and neighborhoods along a splendid greenway. It builds communities and spurs economic growth. It’s a promenade, a refuge, a sculpture garden, an arboretum and an incubator. It’s Atlanta’s elongated public square.

At its core, though, the Beltline a wildly successful transportation corridor. Every day, some 5,000 people travel the Eastside Trail at any one particular point. And that popularity is spreading around the loop. The trail is so successful that the mix of pedestrians and wheeled vehicles has become a public safety concern.

We have an opportunity to leverage the Beltline’s success into something even better — a unique amenity that will help to transform Atlanta into a city where you can get around without a car.

“The Atlanta Beltline has helped attract more than $9 billion dollars in private development as of the end of 2023.”

— Atlanta Beltline Inc.

“When you love a place, you will behave differently and do things that you wouldn’t do if you didn’t love it. I think all of the visual, structural art on the BeltLine contributes to the sense of space and our collective character, like what we see ourselves as.”

— Chantelle Rytter, Atlanta Beltline Parade Founder

No. 2 among “the Best Urban Rail Trails in the United States”

— Momentum Magazine

We’re urging Atlanta Beltline Inc. to begin work on a fresh vision — one that leverages the Beltline’s incredible success and takes advantage of 21st century ideas.

Maybe, ordinary Atlantans can help by giving ABI a little nudge. Let’s start now by talking openly about ideas for a Beltline 2.0.

Better Atlanta Transit has made no secret of the direction our Advisory Board believes the Beltline should go. We want to see More MARTA money and any other resources available to go to transit that will truly make a difference in people’s lives — including transit to the Beltline.

At the same time, we think it’s time for the ABI to acknowledge its own success in creating one of the nation’s finest “micromobility” corridors: Build a separate trail for pedestrians, including for the mobility impaired.

UPDATE: Recently, the push for parallel “wheels and heels” paths along the Eastside Trail has gained momentum. ABI CEO Clyde Higgs acknowledged in August that a rail line on the Eastside Trail “no longer makes sense” and announced that the Beltline is looking into building a parallel path. That followed BAT’s advocacy for the idea, as well as a May AJC column in which the leaders of four major nonprofits — each with a large stake in the Beltline — called for ABI to consider “wheels and heels.”

Today

The right of way formerly reserved for train tracks is composed largely of meadows and trees, but also serves as a the setting for public art.

Tomorrow?

That right of way could be transformed into a separate path for pedestrians, while preserving most of the meadows and perhaps all of the trees in the former trail right of way.

What do you think?

How might a “wheels & heels” solution best be implemented?

For example, should the existing concrete path be left to slower users, such as those on foot, or should they be shifted onto the new parallel path?

What surface should the new parallel path have: concrete, asphalt, crushed stone, rubberized paving, or something else?

Should the new parallel path be straight and direct or curvy and scenic?

How can we encourage users to stick to the proper path for whatever mode they choose, such as scooters and bikes?

Should there be a speed limit on a “wheels” path dedicated to fast users?

Should autonomous pods eventually be allowed on the “wheels” path?

Let us know what other ideas you have for Atlanta’s most vital corridor for pedestrians and micromobility!