Feasibility Study

In March 2003, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) initiated the Atlanta Inner Core Transit Feasibility Study or the Beltline/C-Loop Study. The study process will identify feasible routes and modes of transportation through evaluating various technologies and land use patterns of the Beltline/C-Loop concepts. Through technical analysis and community input, the feasibility study will examine transit opportunities and determine what type of transportation will contribute to the enhancement of the quality of life for citizens of the inner core area and the entire metropolitan region.

Study Background

Over the past few years, a growing number of Atlantans have become captivated by the notion of building new transportation facilities and linear parks connecting Atlanta’s residential neighborhoods, urban villages and centers of activity, such as the intown universities and job centers. Much of the excitement was generated by two concepts developed in the last five years. The Beltline concept envisions a transit corridor and linear park woven through the city on existing railroad rights-of-way that would connect to five MARTA stations and numerous neighborhoods. The linear park would join existing major parks, such as Piedmont Park, and smaller neighborhood parks. The Beltline concept is strongly supported by many community and business leaders, including Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard. This project was proposed to encourage economic development and transit supportive land uses while providing recreational and quality of life benefits to the residents of Atlanta as well as to the millions of visitors to the area each year. The C-Loop, championed by Congressman John Lewis, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and recently elected Congresswoman Denise Majette proposed connecting southern Dekalb County, downtown Atlanta, the Atlanta University Center, the west side of Downtown and Emory University with a C-shaped transit facility, pro-viding significant mobility benefits between these areas.

In response to public interest in these concepts, and to forward its strategic vision of providing affordable transit services, MARTA initiated the Atlanta Inner Core Transit Feasibility Study to evaluate the Beltline and C-Loop concepts.

Through this study MARTA will analyze a broad set of alternatives including various modes and alignments. From this analysis, the concepts will be refined, and the feasibility of implementing the concepts will be determined.

A critical element of the Study will be to engage the community in a public discussion of the concepts, including the need and purpose, as well as, potential benefits and impacts that could occur as part of project implementation. This newsletter is a part of the effort to involve the community in the process. Additional methods of public involvement are detailed in the Public Involvement section of this newsletter.

Study Area

The study area includes the entire inner core area within a circle of railroads around the City of Atlanta and portions of DeKalb County, as shown in the graphic to the right. Within the study area multiple corridor segments have been identified based on existing transportation facilities such as roadways and railroad paths that connect neighborhoods, activity centers and points of interest. These corridor segments will be the focus of the study effort and will provide the basis for developing the alternatives to be considered.

Study Process

The Study will be completed in five phases. The first phase is the public involvement program. This phase runs continuously throughout all phases of the study. Phase Two, which is already underway, will inventory existing conditions and planned improvements within the study area. This information will be used to establish a need for mprovements, and serve as a basis for identifying engineering constraints and other potential opportunities and barriers to implementation. Phase Three will develop a concept plan for improvements that will identify potential transit modes and align-ments for the transit alternatives. In Phase Four alternatives will be evaluated to determine their feasibility, including engineering requirements and cost estimates. Lastly, Phase Five will identify organizational and financial structures that can lead to additional project development.

Stakeholder Committees & Workgroups

Various committees and workgroups to ensure sound technical analyses and policy guidance will guide the study. A "Stakeholder Advisory Committee" is being established and will be composed of business leaders, neighborhood leaders, and represen-tatives of other interested groups and organizations.

A "Technical Advisory Committee" will guide the technical tasks to ensure that the scope and quality of the analyses provide a sound basis for evaluating the feasibility of the various concepts, and are consistent with other studies underway in the region. This group includes representatives from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the City of Atlanta, DeKalb County, Fulton County, and all federal planning part-ners. Additionally, neighborhood-based workgroups will be established throughout the inner core area to help disseminate study information, provide forums on study issues, and provide opportunities for public input. Additional methods of citizen participation will include those listed below.

Public Involvement

Public involvement is a major part of the study and your input and participation are encouraged throughout the process. A comprehensive public outreach effort is underway and will include many methods of communication and opportunities for citizen input. A key component of the outreach effort will be stakeholder committees and workgroups.

Study Fact Sheets/Newsletters
Study Video
Traveling Displays
Speaker’s Bureau
Public Meetings

Contact Us:
The Study team would like to hear from you. If you have any comments, questions, or ideas regarding this study, or would like to be included on the study mailing list, please email us.

Or write or fax us at:
MARTA - Atlanta Inner Core Transit Feasibility Study (Beltline/C-Loop)
c/o PEQ
4405 Mall Boulevard, Suite 420
Union City, GA 30291
(770) 306-7754 (fax)