Will Atlanta’s transit projects help improve regional mobility?

Yes. For truly regional transportation to work, riders must be able to get to their final destinations in the City. The TIA light rail transit segments for which the City of Atlanta is advocating are crucial to providing last-mile connectivity from the region to employment, education and entertainment centers in the City.

The projects include:

• Direct connections to the North Avenue, Peachtree Center and Bankhead MARTA stations.
• A new MARTA station and connection at Joseph E. Boone Blvd.
• Direct, last mile connections to key regional destinations, such as Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Piedmont Park, Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium,  Phillips Arena Georgia World Congress Center, Carter Center, MLK Jr. National Historic site, and downtown and midtown circulation from MARTA.
• Direct connections to more than 100,000 jobs within a ¼ mile of the routes, including Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Georgia Pacific, AT&T Building, Bank of America Tower, CNN, the Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Aquarium,  Phillips Arena and Peachtree Center. Thousands more people work within a ½ mile of the projects, including Turner Broadcasting and businesses along the midtown mile.

Will Atlanta’s transit projects deliver a good return on investment for taxpayers, and will they be delivered on time and on budget?

Yes. If the region is looking to fund projects that will be completed on time and on budget, the City of Atlanta TIA transit segments are the safest bets. The Atlanta BeltLine with cross-town transit segments are some of the best investments the region can make knowing that additional funding from the Atlanta BeltLine’s dedicated tax allocation district and returning Federal dollars to this regional project will ensure the projects are completed.

• Since 2005, the return on investment around the Atlanta BeltLine alone has been three to one: every dollar spent on the project has generated another three dollars spent on private investment, totaling more than $1 billion in new private investment.
• According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, The City of Atlanta’s TIA transit projects have the second highest ridership of all rail expansion projects; according to the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority’s analysis, these projects have the lowest cost per mile of all rail projects on the list, and they are among the most deliverable within the 10-year time frame of the TIA.
• The projects have access to additional funding streams, including nearly $400 million already invested in the Atlanta BeltLine and related projects; more than $37 million in private donations invested in the Atlanta BeltLine through its capital campaign; more than $23 million in federal funds delivered to the Atlanta BeltLine to date; and other tax allocation districts.

Do these projects have the public support necessary to be on the list?

Yes. The Atlanta BeltLine has demonstrated time and again its ability to turn out tens of thousands of supporters who will help ensure the project happens. The Atlanta BeltLine started as a grassroots movement within the city’s neighborhoods and business communities. Support for the vision of integrating new transportation options, improved mobility and access in Atlanta job centers, more parks and trails, economic development and affordable housing has grown over the past decade to include tens of thousands of passionate advocates and broad advocacy spanning business, civic, community, political and philanthropic leadership.

• More than 12,000 people have opted in to regularly receiving Atlanta BeltLine e-news.
• In less than four years, more than 10,000 people have taken the tour of the Atlanta BeltLine.
• More than 11,000 people have connected with the Atlanta BeltLine via facebook, twitter and other social media.
• More than 1,800 volunteers have signed up to actively participate with the Atlanta BeltLine.
• More than 100 donors have contributed more than $37 million to the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Capital Campaign.
• Recognition of the Atlanta BeltLine among Atlanta residents has grown from 53% to 75% in the past three years.