After a stunning financial turnaround and with new political support, MARTA is proposing a massive expansion of commuter rail, with rail links from Atlanta into Fulton and DeKalb counties.
"Over the next seven months, the people at MARTA will quietly button-hole local leaders and state lawmakers — top Republicans included — with the aim of building support for an $8 billion expansion of commuter rail that would transform the region," reports Jim Galloway.
Instead of the circular format of Atlanta's history ("Inside-the-Perimeter, Outside-the-Perimeter, and the rest of Georgia"), MARTA envisions a linear future for the city: "a single file of major economic development up and down what is now Georgia 400, built along a rail line that would link Alpharetta with downtown Atlanta and its airport beyond."
Galloway also notes that recent changes in the political winds at the state level could predict support for the proposal. State Republicans have begun to view the MARTA system as " an essential ingredient in the state’s official economic development kit."
Lori Geary also provides coverage on the proposal, focusing on the challenge of funding the proposal. The article supplements television coverage of the proposal on WSB-TV.
Hat tip to Tanya Snyder at Streetsblog for sharing links to the coverage on the proposal.
FULL STORY: MARTA to make an $8 billion pitch to change the face of Atlanta
Transit Oriented Development Spreads to the Suburbs
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is working on mixed-use development plans for a location near Kensington Station, in DeKalb County.
Atlanta Region Residents Support Transit, Taxes to Pay for Transit
The Atlanta Regional Commission recently released the results of its "Metro Atlanta Speaks" public opinion survey last week.
Commuter Rail From Clayton County to Atlanta Planned by MARTA
The Atlanta region could soon gain a commuter rail line similar to those found in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie