ATLANTA TRANSIT (Marta, Beltline, Peachtree Streetcar, LovJoy Commuter, etc...)

[atlantaguy]

Originally Posted by ATLaffinity

amtrak couldn't run a lemonade stand. it's laughable to read about future high speed rail they are planning.

Oh, really?

What do you propose? More of the same crap from the last 30 years?

There is pent-up demand for high speed rail. Last time I looked, roads and airports don't turn a profit. Why should rail?

[SAV]

When is obama going to announce the winners for funding

[plorenc]

Originally Posted by jew4life4948

As part of a funding request focused on transit, road and sidewalk improvements and green energy projects, the City of Atlanta included the Peachtree Corridor Streetcar system to be considered for President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package. Projects with the highest chance of being included in the package are projects that can be started within three months and completed within two years, according to federal officials.

Thanks to the work already conducted over the last few years by the City through its Connect Atlanta plan and by the Peachtree Corridor Partnership, the Downtown-Midtown routes of the Peachtree Corridor system fit the bill.

“The Downtown circulatory loop between the King Center and Centennial Park and the Downtown-Midtown route have been reviewed and modified and cost estimates were updated within the last year,” said Heather Alhadeff, Assistant Director in the City’s Transportation Planning Department. “Construction would take place in the existing street right-of-way where noise and environmental impacts will not be increased, allowing it to meet the stimulus package’s timeline criteria.”

With economic and environmental benefits, the Peachtree Streetcar is a good fit for the stimulus package that is being nicknamed the "Green New Deal." At a cost of $121,000,000, the proposed Streetcar system for Downtown and Midtown will create more than 1,000 green jobs.

“The Peachtree Streetcar is a critical solution to creating a green, sustainable city,” said Mandy Schmitt, Atlanta’s Director of Sustainability. “It will make trading off the car for walking and cycling a viable solution for Atlanta’s residents and commuters.”

Exciting news! I wonder what the possibility of this actually happening is.

[jew4life4948]

Originally Posted by plorenc

Exciting news! I wonder what the possibility of this actually happening is.

It's a shame that this is getting help, while the Beltline is in limbo.

Which do you think (Beltline/Streetcar) will have more economic impact/more essential to the city?

[ATLaffinity]

Amtrak just got $15B.

what a joke to take the beltline out at the knees to keep options open for some yet-to-be-determined high speed rail project.

Atlanta's most pressing need is local transportation and commuter rail, not a train to New Orleans which may or may not be much of a city down the road.

[atlantaguy]

^Wait until the business community gets a clue about this, and then stand back. This might very well be the issue that forces the States hand.

If this passes, I fully expect the City to file suit against the State & Amtrak - and rightly so.

[plorenc]

Originally Posted by jew4life4948

It's a shame that this is getting help, while the Beltline is in limbo.

Which do you think (Beltline/Streetcar) will have more economic impact/more essential to the city?

Definitely the Beltline. But its just not possible at this time

The main difference is that the Streetcar doesn't need to go through any environmental impact study, while the Beltline does. I believe that the funds for the environmental impact study of the Beltline are on the city's wishlist, however.

[jew4life4948]

January 28, 2009 at 8:40 pm by Thomas Wheatley in News

…but it would be problematic for them to do so on the Beltline property in Northeast Atlanta that’s become a bone of contention for the city, the Georgia Department of Transportation and AMTRAK.
In 2005, Beltline visionary Ryan Gravel and Friends of the Beltline Inc. issued a study that examined how the 22-mile loop of parks, trails and transit may be affected by the various rail lines circling Atlanta. (Download the study PDF here.)

In regards to the “Decatur Belt,” the 3.5-mile segment that runs from DeKalb Avenue to Ansley Mall, the study says:
use of this line for the commuter rail network is problematic for the following reasons:

• The original alignment of the Decatur Street Belt with the main line into downtown Atlanta was broken by the reconfiguration of Hulsey Yard and the construction of the elevated East MARTA line and King Memorial Station.
• Use of the Decatur Street Belt puts Amtrak trains through residential areas and Piedmont Park, crossing surface streets at Monroe Drive, Irwin Street and DeKalb Avenue.
• The Decatur Street Belt is too narrow south of Freedom Parkway for the Belt Line and Amtrak to share right-of-way with separate tracks.
• Shared use of the tracks themselves in this corridor would be difficult due to topographic and physical constraints.
• Any shared arrangement would make the Belt Line much less desirable by eliminating greenspace and permeability and by increasing safety concerns, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.

The group proposed several recommendations, including tinkering with the Brookwood station where AMTRAK currently stops. One of the biggest challenges the Beltline will face is actually connecting the rail segments that will create its spine and shape.

If you’re a transit lover and want to know more about the current dispute, as well as the project’s other connectivity challenges, this study is well worth a read.

[jew4life4948]

PDF Link to Rail Sharing Analysis dated 2005

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/files/2009/01/fbl_pp1railroads.pdf

[jew4life4948]

January 26, 2009


The Honorable John Lewis
U.S. House of Representatives
343 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1005

The Honorable Mayor Shirley Franklin

Dear Congressman Lewis:


I am writing to alert you to a very serious situation regarding the future of Atlanta, and to ask for your
support of our actions to secure the Northeast Rail Corridor of the BeltLine. After three years working to
establish the BeltLine Redevelopment Plan, two and a half years implementing that plan, investing tens of
millions of dollars to secure the Northeast BeltLine Corridor, which sparked millions more of investment
by the private sector, GDOT has acted to thwart the BeltLine and with it jeopardized Atlanta's ability to
plan and accommodate the growth we know is coming in the next several decades.

As part of the normal BeltLine transit planning, at the city's request, Norfolk Southern sought the
abandonment of the Northeast BeltLine Rail Corridor from the federal Surface Transportation Board
(STB). This abandonment was slated to take effect on January 22. Recently, out of the clear blue sky, GDOT filed a Motion with the STB to halt this abandonment process, and enlisted the help of AMTRAK,
which on January 21st took the brazen action of using its federal status to initiate condemnation
proceedings on the corridor. I am dismayed and alarmed by these these actions, which not only jeopardize
BeltLine transit, but also our ability to compete for federal funds.

The BeltLine has achieved significant progress in the last three years, and its transit vision has been
embraced by the city and the region as a forward-thinking transit plan for Georgia. It has garnered the
support of the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Transportation Planning Board, MARTA, and many
others, and is included in the regional transit vision, Concept Plan 3, which GDOT has approved. Concept
3 accommodates both the BeltLine and commuter rail, while GDOT and AMTRAK would now have us
choose heavy rail at the expense of the BeltLine. However, the characteristics of AMTRAK's heavy rail
operations (greater noise levels and air quality impact) are incompatible with and not sensitive to this rail
corridor's existing environment, considering the immediate adjacency of residential neighborhoods and
the gemstone of our park system - Piedmont Park. Furthermore, other options for Amtrak's station
relocation and rail alignment have been formulated.


This region is begging for leadership on transportation and mobility. I worked to create the BeltLine
Partnership and Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. to provide that missing leadership, and they have delivered. They
have galvanized community support through hundreds of public meetings over the last four years, and the
public and private sectors have both made significant investments in anticipationof the BeltLine being
realized. Close to $20 million in federal funding has already been alloted to the project, and dedicated
local funding through the BeltLine Tax Allocation District will generate up to $1.7 billion over the next
22 years. BeltLine implementation is well underway, with several land use master plans about to enter the
formal adoption process.


For a state agency (GDOT) to now flip-flop and at the last minute attempt to derail a well thought out and
partially implemented plan is truly appalling. Sadly, from what I have witnessed over the years, GDOT's
actions are consistent with its past behavior, and it is this behavior that caused Georgia and Atlanta to
lose out on millions in federal funding.

I grew up near the railroads in Philadelphia, and I know the value and importance of commuter rail inthe
life of a city. I am also an advocate of cooperation and collaboration to dowhat is best for the public.
Time and again as the BeltLine has faced judicial, legislative and other challenges, grassroots Atlantans
have risen up to ensure that the BeltLine vision moves forward. We have invested far too much in the
BeltLine, and have seen too much growth and investment for it to be stymied by the actions of a state
agency that does not have a viable plan or funding for commuter rail of the Northeast BeltLine Corridor,
let alone funding for projects to which it has already committed.

I can assure you that GDOT has consistently been informed of plans for the BeltLine. We have briefed
the prior and current Commissioner of GDOT as well as members of their board and staff. In addition,
we have discussed with GDOT officials the Atlanta Connect Plan - the City's recently approved
Transportation Plan- which includes the Beltline transit and offers an alternative to the AMTRAK station
location, and have engaged them in the discussion of Concept 3, a regionally approved transit plan that
fully supports the Beltline. Simply put, because of GDOT's boorish behavior and AMTRAK's willingness to play along, the future of the city of Atlanta is at stake.

I respectfully call upon you to support the BeltLine and oppose the actions of GDOT and AMTRAK so
we can secure the abandonment of the Northeast BeltLine Rail Corridor and keep Atlanta moving. On
behalf of the City of Atlanta, I am grateful for your leadership on this important project. Please do
not hesitate to call me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,


Mayor Shirley Franklin

[Uptowngirl]

Originally Posted by ATLaffinity

Amtrak just got $15B.

what a joke to take the beltline out at the knees to keep options open for some yet-to-be-determined high speed rail project.

Atlanta's most pressing need is local transportation and commuter rail, not a train to New Orleans which may or may not be much of a city down the road.

As a side note from a New Orleanian and native Atlantan...
We will be just fine, and we are one HELL of a city now ...more than Atlanta is (I'd classify Atlanta just as out of control sprawl)

However I do support the Beltline project from afar.

[wxjay]

The Beltline as a viable transportation option for commuters or for travelers is one of the worst ideas ever. Period. The idea behind adding transportation to the Beltline project was solely to claim federal funds for the project.

Sorry, but in the face of energy concerns, rising fuel costs, and growing traffic, having commuter rails and high-speed rail to connect major cities in the Southeast should take high priority over a light rail/trolley-like system that will transport few people.

[atlantaguy]

Originally Posted by wxjay

The Beltline as a viable transportation option for commuters or for travelers is one of the worst ideas ever. Period. The idea behind adding transportation to the Beltline project was solely to claim federal funds for the project.

Sorry, but in the face of energy concerns, rising fuel costs, and growing traffic, having commuter rails and high-speed rail to connect major cities in the Southeast should take high priority over a light rail/trolley-like system that will transport few people.

You simply don't understand what the Beltline is. It is not meant to be a part of any commuter rail or HSR for "travelers." It is meant to stitch together the inner city and to provide connectivity. And you are wrong about adding transportation soley to collect Federal funding. It was always about transportation, from the time Ryan Gravel wrote his thesis giving birth to the whole idea.

You are correct about commuter rail and regional HSR - we need it badly.

That being said, you will NEVER see it routed through this particular rail corridor that the Ga DOT and Amtrak are suddenly so enamored with.

There is absolutely no way in hell that the neighborhoods of Ansley, Morningside, Virginia-Highland, Midtown, et all will allow heavy rail commuter and HSR trains to move along those tracks behind Ansley Mall and adjacent to Piedmont Park. These are the same folks that had a meltdown over Wayne Mason's proposed "towers in the park" that almost derailed the Beltline previously. It won't happen.

[jew4life4948]

[I really hope this doesn't count as spam]

For all those concerned.

A rally to save the Beltline will be held this Saturday, January 31st at the intersection of 10th Street and Monroe.

[sabino86]

Word.

[Curious Atlantan]

Originally Posted by wxjay

The Beltline as a viable transportation option for commuters or for travelers is one of the worst ideas ever. Period. The idea behind adding transportation to the Beltline project was solely to claim federal funds for the project.

Sorry, but in the face of energy concerns, rising fuel costs, and growing traffic, having commuter rails and high-speed rail to connect major cities in the Southeast should take high priority over a light rail/trolley-like system that will transport few people.

You need to change your perspective. The Beltline is great, actually. It allows Atlanta to become more dense by getting more people along inner city corridors. Denser cities are the future in a post-fossil fuel world.
Not to say that commuter rail and HSR should not be in the equation, they are equally important. They just need to find a way to accomodate both.

[wxjay]

^I have no issue with the Beltline and HSR co-existing. But the system as proposed is not viable for helping to alleviate congestion or make the city more dense or more open to pedestrian traffic. The parks and trails are a nice touch, don't get me wrong. But, for example, if they think that someone in West Midtown or "SoBu" is going to jump on the Beltline to go and visit the Aquarium or Zoo Atlanta, they are mistaken. It will still be more feasible for those people to jump in their car and head down the Connector to get there. Nor do I think that it is terribly useful for commuters to get to work in these neighborhoods or the core business centers.

I am supportive of most of the Beltline objectives, including the new housing, retail, parks, and bike trails. But the light rail portion, IMO, is not the type of transit solution that addresses the problems that face metro Atlanta. And that is what is part of the selling feature - the connectivity and commuting options.

[Tombstoner]

As someone who would be happy to see both the Beltline and the Peachtree Streetcar project happen, we should be honest that neither of them is meeting any screaming needs. Both of these projects are premised on a "build it and they will come" assumption. It's a shame that the Beltline has inadvertantly smothered consideration of light-rail projects that might have actually been part of a long-term MARTA strategy (only because the city politicos find it hard to walk and chew gum at the same time).

Again, I think both ideas can't help but improve the quality of in-town Atlanta, but both are answers in search of a question.

[smArTaLlone]

Not true at all. The connect Atlanta plan includes several light rail routes not related to either the Beltline or the Peachtree streetcar.

One thing that confuses people about the Beltline is that it is not a transit project. It is an urban renewal project with (possible) transit component.

[wxjay]

Originally Posted by smArTaLlone

:One thing that confuses people about the Beltline is that it is not a transit project. It is an urban renewal project with (possible) transit component.

The transit component is a significant segment of the website though. So, I don't know if there is a coherent message from either side really.