Atlantans have never voted for rail on the Beltline. A 2016 citywide referendum for the More MARTA half-penny sales tax came closest to a popular tally.

First, a caveat: “It was always in the plan” is never a good argument. Especially, when you’re talking about $2.5 billion. Unbuilt transit concepts aren’t chiseled in stone.

The first two legs of the Beltline streetcar will serve some of intown Atlanta’s wealthiest neighborhoods. Those may be the only phases ever built.