ATLANTA | Development Thread VI

[schaalman]

A subway isn't even remotely feasible anywhere in ATL. Not nearly enough density. Extending Marta some and perhaps light rail to certain nodes, probably/hopefully?

Transit-wise, not that it's politically feasible, but we need to bring principal routes in our "claimed" world-class city to a simple standard of having AT LEAST 2 lanes of through traffic in each direction without being impeded by left-turners. Anything less than this is woefully inadequate even for a city of 50,000. Howell Mill, Monroe, Moreland? That's just one H and 2 M's. If you go through the alphabet, the list is much longer.

[cabasse]

Originally Posted by schaalman

A subway isn't even remotely feasible anywhere in ATL. Not nearly enough density. Extending Marta some and perhaps light rail to certain nodes, probably/hopefully?

Transit-wise, not that it's politically feasible, but we need to bring principal routes in our "claimed" world-class city to a simple standard of having AT LEAST 2 lanes of through traffic in each direction without being impeded by left-turners. Anything less than this is woefully inadequate even for a city of 50,000. Howell Mill, Monroe, Moreland? That's just one H and 2 M's. If you go through the alphabet, the list is much longer.

but...but...marta is a subway?

[pica]

Originally Posted by cabasse

but...but...marta is a subway?

Oh my gosh, thank you; that comment made me feel like I was taking crazy pills. Don't I ride in a subway every time I take MARTA through downtown and midtown?

Even so... MARTA is doing exactly what they said; extending existing HRT, building infill stations, and creating a light rail system. I don't even get what the criticism is.

That we need to demolish some buildings on Moreland so it can have 4 lanes with a turn lane all the way through? I think the Little 5 Points folks would probably want to know which small businesses you plan on taking the wrecking ball to.

[Atlanta3000]

https://twitter.com/MaggieWZDX/status/953648077243547649

[Atlanta3000]

https://twitter.com/ATLUTD/status/953757877893726208

[bigstick]

Amazing pic...Thanks

[schaalman]

For like what? 2 or 3 miles? Perhaps when we talk of "subway" we mean more generally heavy rail with its own right of way. Additions to MARTA will for the most part be elevated. Not enough density to do what LA has done in the last 20 years.

Even Chicago's subway is pretty limited. Most of it is elevated.

[MdtwnATL]

Originally Posted by schaalman

A subway isn't even remotely feasible anywhere in ATL. Not nearly enough density. Extending Marta some and perhaps light rail to certain nodes, probably/hopefully?

Transit-wise, not that it's politically feasible, but we need to bring principal routes in our "claimed" world-class city to a simple standard of having AT LEAST 2 lanes of through traffic in each direction without being impeded by left-turners. Anything less than this is woefully inadequate even for a city of 50,000. Howell Mill, Monroe, Moreland? That's just one H and 2 M's. If you go through the alphabet, the list is much longer.

A subway is remotely feasible because a subway already exists. And it's BECAUSE of the spotty density that a subway makes the most sense. The lack of a clear grid on the surface means digging under ground can get folks from neighborhood to neighborhood the quickest without impeding traffic above.

Furthermore, many of the streets you see in West Midtown are what they are, and they will not be changing. You won't see this wide 5 lane streets anywhere ever over there, or throughout much of ATL.

[Atlantis]

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/busines...rs-location-n838726?cid=eml_nbn_20180118

[MdtwnATL]

Originally Posted by schaalman

For like what? 2 or 3 miles? Perhaps when we talk of "subway" we mean more generally heavy rail with its own right of way. Additions to MARTA will for the most part be elevated. Not enough density to do what LA has done in the last 20 years.

Even Chicago's subway is pretty limited. Most of it is elevated.

Chicago has a perfect grid and the elevated portion of it (there's plenty underground as well) is perfectly woven into it. That's simply not happening in Atlanta.

Explain to me how density impacts the feasibility of a subway. Also explain to me how a heavy rail train will get it's own right of way on, say, Howell Mill.

[WFTGATL]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/20034178@N04/shares/3XHj3j







Sunday dog walk, TheStandard, Coda, Lilly and view of north Midtown from my condo. - can't figure out how to post the photos directly?????

[testarossa50]

lol @ nonsensical semantics of "subway", and arguments that all major streets must be four lanes. Are you like a time traveler from the 1960s or something?

Back to updates on Atlanta highrise urban development, please.

[Libertarian]

Prague is one example of a relatively small city with an extensive underground system. With improved technology of granite tunneling I could see it happening here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotthard_Base_Tunnel

[Dettmann1]

Originally Posted by MdtwnATL

Chicago has a perfect grid and the elevated portion of it (there's plenty underground as well) is perfectly woven into it. That's simply not happening in Atlanta.

Explain to me how density impacts the feasibility of a subway. Also explain to me how a heavy rail train will get it's own right of way on, say, Howell Mill.

It won't. However, it could use the Beltline, North Ave and potentially some of the railway corridors that surround West Midtown (Tracks elevated above the Train ROW similar to portions of the existing MARTA lines). I strongly doubt any new heavy rail is built within the perimeter of Atlanta for the forseable future. Most cities have gone to light rail as its less expensive to build.

Tunneling adds immensely to both the time and cost of a transit system. Its like 5 to 6x minimum the cost of an at grade transit line. Given that Atlanta has limited access to funds currently, I'm not sure that's a way to stretch transit dollars as far as they probably need to go.

[Libertarian]

Well yes, ATL has limited funds for infrastructure - just look at the surface streets. The only cash source would be the feds but as a libertarian I hope not. They want to fund infrastructure with gas taxes which (no matter how much you like the US Chamber of Commerce) is not the answer unless you want the middle class consumer to once more take the hit.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by Libertarian

Well yes, ATL has limited funds for infrastructure - just look at the surface streets. The only cash source would be the feds but as a libertarian I hope not. They want to fund infrastructure with gas taxes which (no matter how much you like the US Chamber of Commerce) is not the answer unless you want the middle class consumer to once more take the hit.

Most importantly Atlanta has the ability to borrow and with the highest credit rating - we can do it relatively cheaper than most cities. Also, with a the 3rd fastest growing population (gross annual increase, not annual % increase) we have a firm foundation to fund infrastructure spending.

[Libertarian]

Atlanta is ranked 118 out of 150 US cities for financial stability (1 being best and 150 worst).
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-run-cities/22869/#detailed

[BlueSangha]

Atlanta makes short list: https://atlanta.curbed.com/2018/1/18/16905388/atlanta-amazon-hq2-shortlist

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by Libertarian

Atlanta is ranked 118 out of 150 US cities for financial stability (1 being best and 150 worst).
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-run-cities/22869/#detailed

Not sure about Wallethub, but when a city issues bonds Standard & Poor's is the only credit rating that matters and we are looking really good.

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/blog.../atlanta-wins-credit-ratingupgrades.html

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by WFTGATL

https://www.flickr.com/photos/20034178@N04/shares/3XHj3j







Sunday dog walk, TheStandard, Coda, Lilly and view of north Midtown from my condo. - can't figure out how to post the photos directly?????

Thanks for posting. Lilli looks so friggin good.