Atlanta Beltline

[bryantm3]

Thanks so much for these pictures. I think I remember from the plans that they are going to go both west and north from that point under the Park Drive bridge: a connection going west into the park, but also continuing the trail up the rail corridor as far as the entrance road to the parking deck. From there it will turn west and follow the existing trail through the park.

They are getting close... I wonder how long before we can walk the segment north of Westminister?

[shivtim]

Thanks for the pics! I hope they don't remove many trees through that forested section on the north side of Piedmont Park, it's a very pleasant trail and could operate as the official Beltline trail pretty much as is.

Also, "Pediment Avenue" sounds amazing.

[Libertarian]

Current trail probably not ADA-compliant, and also our betters also need a streetcar along the trail. After several years of high level discussion a decision was made to spend the extra money, kill some more trees.

[Julien]

Originally Posted by Libertarian

Current trail probably not ADA-compliant, and also our betters also need a streetcar along the trail. After several years of high level discussion a decision was made to spend the extra money, kill some more trees.

When it was first announce I was thinking this might be temporary and to complete the BeltLine on the BeltLine right of way at a later date. However with all the construction fencing up it may be permanent BeltLine.

It is a nice secluded and shady trail but is too narrow for full BeltLine traffic/specification. Also I suspect it would need to be concrete to be up to standards. I believe all other BetLine and BeltLine connectors are concrete. If going to cut trees, widen path and remove asphalt and replace with concrete it seems that just using the BeltLine right of way would be a better option all the way around.

And making it Street Car accessible seems like a HUGE stretch since there or other trails, paths, dog parks, curves, elevation gains and pedestrian bridges that connect..

Here is an older pic of an example of one of the chock points that it goes past. Also notice the Worchester Dr bridge (one of 2 it must go under) in the background

[3yonce]

I believe the streetcar is staying on the old railroad right-of-way with only the trail winding off through the park (similar to the Northside Trail). I think there are sections of the old railroad embankment that drop off steeply on both sides, so there's not enough room to accommodate both the streetcar and the trail.

[Libertarian]

That streetcar seems like "Groundhog Day" or "Waiting for Godot". Which of you are Vladimir and Estragon?
Where's Opus?

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

Originally Posted by Julien

When it was first announce I was thinking this might be temporary and to complete the BeltLine on the BeltLine right of way at a later date. However with all the construction fencing up it may be permanent BeltLine.

It is a nice secluded and shady trail but is too narrow for full BeltLine traffic/specification. Also I suspect it would need to be concrete to be up to standards. I believe all other BetLine and BeltLine connectors are concrete. If going to cut trees, widen path and remove asphalt and replace with concrete it seems that just using the BeltLine right of way would be a better option all the way around.

And making it Street Car accessible seems like a HUGE stretch since there or other trails, paths, dog parks, curves, elevation gains and pedestrian bridges that connect..

Here is an older pic of an example of one of the chock points that it goes past. Also notice the Worchester Dr bridge (one of 2 it must go under) in the background

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The map makes it very clear that it is not going there. It is going along the beltline until it reaches Amsterdam Walk then it is going along the path that winds through the woods and ends at the roundabout behind Public Storage. There is no way they'd have it go through the dog park, too much people stopping, etc:

[Julien]

Northeast looking north on Pediment. Getting close to finishing. (pic took on Labor Day)



Construction started on the Southwest seen from the Westside Betline Connector trail looking south and under Hollowell Parkway.

[Julien]

Piedmont trail blocked off and work about to begin. They are going to rip up all the asphalt and replace with a concrete pad. As a runnier I sure like asphalt better but concrete is the Beltline standard and a >25 year lifespan.



Trucks lined up on Westminster Dr.



Looking north toward Pediment Rd.and the concrete is now ½ poured so making progress.

[SteveD]

Awesome update, thanks Julien!

Yes I agree as both a runner/walker and Civil Engineering P.E.

I was a runner for about 25 years (19 Peachtree Road Races) before age/knee & hip joints turned me into a walker. I walk about 4 to 5 miles a day. Asphalt is preferred for running/walking but yes concrete significantly longer useful service life.

[Julien]

Originally Posted by SteveD

Awesome update, thanks Julien!

Yes I agree as both a runner/walker and Civil Engineering P.E.

I was a runner for about 25 years (19 Peachtree Road Races) before age/knee & hip joints turned me into a walker. I walk about 4 to 5 miles a day. Asphalt is preferred for running/walking but yes concrete significantly longer useful service life.

Just went and counted my T-shirts and I have done 20.

Wondering out of curiosity on the new concrete (not the asphalt replacement) how do they mitigate adding non pervious surface? Is it exempt or just small enough not to be required? Or is there some retention and added pervious?

[SteveD]

Originally Posted by Julien

Just went and counted my T-shirts and I have done 20.

Wondering out of curiosity on the new concrete (not the asphalt replacement) how do they mitigate adding non pervious surface? Is it exempt or just small enough not to be required? Or is there some retention and added pervious?

You got me beat! I had 16 of my P'tree RR T-shirts made into a quilt!

I don't have a good answer for you except to say that unless the prior asphalt concrete surface was specifically designed to be pervious it wouldn't have been classified as such. If it was, your speculation that the new beltline concrete path is likely exempt seems likely. The completed portions of the beltline do include storm water management infrastructure where it is needed.

[shivtim]

Also I saw someone on social media asked about the tree removal, and the Beltline confirmed they're working with Trees Atlanta to replace and plant more trees along this trail when it's completed. So it should still have a wooded feel but it will take a while for the canopy to fill back in.

[testarossa50]

So wait, will the tracks definitely, really, actually be paved in with grass? I thought the latest MARTA renderings showed concrete.

edit: sorry wrong thread

[shivtim]

Fresh details emerge for two forthcoming game hubs beside BeltLine

On the eastside trail:
The North Highland Avenue concept, Painted Park, will include a tunnel that provides a link from the Eastside Trail, beneath a parking lot, to the main building.

Plans call for a “park” component behind a fence next to the Eastside Trail, offering fire pits and a gazebo bar alongside classic beach and lawn games.

Elsewhere will be two indoor bars, two patios, a lower-level “vintage gaming room” with games such board, table, dice, and card games, plus a dance floor and “floating suspended DJ booth,” according to Painted Hospitality.

[testarossa50]

Very, very difficult to visualize how that tunnel is going to work. But it sure looks like they are investing as much money in that piece of property as they possibly can, which I guess is a good thing!

[Julien]

Not much and still a distant dream but here is on the minuscule amount of the North Beltline around the Golf Course. Seems so, so far in the future before all of this will ever be completed.

Looking east


Looking West


Crossing Peachtree Creek

[Julien]

Ran through Armour Yards for the first time in many months. This “exclave” still perplexes the hell out of me. Surprised to see the top of the East Side BeltLine being completed. And a small section called Plasters Ave/Mayson Connector under construction. Also evidence of another extension for the North BeltLine not shown on map on Ottly Dr.

First looking south from behind Ansley Mall at the new section about to open.


From BeltLine info


#2 Looking south and Atlanta Trees planting some “goodies”.


#3 Looking North and under I85. This was all crush and run/rocks a few months ago. Also the short guard rails on the east look a little disconcerting. Which is doubly odd since there is a 6' fence on the west side AND a 6' grass buffer.


#4 In Armour looking south under I85 and yes I did run/trudge through that.


#5 Plasters Ave/Mayson Connector


#6 Ottly Dr. BeltLine extension???????


#7 Armour Dr’s shitty nice sidewalks to nowhere to crappy sidewalks to nowhere. Ironically the ATC HQ is right here and I guess that is a big part of the BeltLine going here

[SteveD]

Wild to me that the Beltline is extending over into that area. I worked on Plasters Ave for 11 (1986 - 1997) years when the Atlanta branch of Law Engineering was based out of three or four buildings there.

[Libertarian]

So you knew Dr. George Sowers? I worked for a couple of Law's regional "competitors" way back in the day and never met the man, but he was a legend.