Panel Discussion on WABE (3/29/2024)
Beltline Rail Brings a Fence
Hans Klein 30 December 2023
Where's the fence??!!
This widely-published photo erroneously omits the fence that will block neighborhood connectivity.
Concerning the fence along MARTA’s proposed Beltline tracks, it is
MARTA itself that insists on this barrier.
[Continue reading]
R.I.P. Beltline Linear Park
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"I feel compelled to say something...
I believe it is a mistake to extend the streetcar to the Beltline and on to the Beltline...
I cannot vote for it..."
-Jim Durrett. MARTA Director (23 April 2023)
"The Beltline is an incredible thing.
If you put a train down there, what's that going to do?!
What's the impact?"
William Floyd, MARTA Director (23 April 2023)
(See all our quotes)
The MARTA board meeting that sums it all up.
Even MARTA's directors are skeptical of the streetcar extension.
Video excerpt from their April 2023 meeting
FOLLOW THE DEBATE
MARTA's site for the Streetcar Extension Project
A cycle track would provide most of the benefits of a train.
E-bikes for all! Lee Street Trail Hank Aaron Drive Cycling Infrastructure
Transit technology is evolving rapidly. Making large, fixed investments in rail is unwise.
Cobb County's Cumberland Hopper
MARTA Reach Beep Autonomous Shuttles
Buckhead Buc Decatur Shuttle Let's Ride Atlanta
Deep History:
"The Atlanta BeltLine - Transit That Travels in Circles. REASON Mag. 2011"
The Streetcar does not catalyze development:
"In the 2+ years since the
streetcar was completed, the only development has been to add solar
panels to the parking lot next to the stop."
See: "Parking Madness: San Bernardino vs. Atlanta"
Fox 5 News: "Heated debate continues to rage over planned expansion of Atlanta Streetcar"
MARTA Board Meeting (5/11/2023): Public Comments (by Email)
Atlanta Business Chronicle: "Atlanta BeltLine doesn't need the streetcar, former Jamestown executive says" [PDF]
Past Event: Public Panel at the Atlanta Studies Symposium: "The Desire for Streetcars" [PPT Presentation]
Kevin Posey, Saporta Report: "Saving the Atlanta BeltLine: A shift from transit to micromobility"
An Academic Perspective:
"[the author] focuses on how the power of myth helps to create
the popular desire for urban rail, regardless of its actual performance.
The political support for the [Los
Angeles] Blue Line had little to do with cost effectiveness or
transportation efficiency..."
Transport of Delight: The Mythical Conception of Rail Transit in Los Angeles
AJC/Bill Torpy: "Beltline Streetcar Extension: Costly Unvetted Bet"
Fox 5: "MARTA approves plan to extend Atlanta Streetcar to BeltLine"
Atlanta News First: "Atlanta streetcar on track to extend to Beltline"
MARTA Board Meeting (4/13/23) Video Highlights: Jay Miller Jeff Rader Hans Klein Board Discussion
MARTA Board Meeting (4/13/23), written comment: "Is MARTA Upholding the Highest Standards?"
MARTA Board Meeting (4/13/23): "Comments of Jeff Rader"
Axios: "Beltline's Eastside Trail transit plan rankles some residents"
11Alive News: "Campaign to derail plans to expand MARTA street car rail line gaining traction"
Atlanta Biz Chronicle: "Campaign mounts against Atlanta Beltline rail" [PDF]
Jay Miller, Saporta Report: "Put the brakes on MARTA’s planned eastside streetcar extension"
Bill Torpy, AJC: "Beltline Rail: Will $230M Screw Up a Good Thing?" [PDF]
Blog: "Why the Streetcar Extension is Not a Good Idea"
The Streetcar Impact Team (Old Fourth Ward Residents)
More stuff:
GT Prof. Hans Klein: "A Streetcar on the Beltline Would be a Train Wreck", Saporta Report
GT Prof. Michael Dobbins: "Downtown Streetcar to Ponce? A Recantation"
GT Prof. Howard Wertheimer: "Connecting Atlanta communities with a future-proof streetcar", Saporta Report
A Developer: "Atlanta businesses wary of extending streetcar to BeltLine" (Atlanta Business Chronicle) [PDF]
Blog: "Transit is a Service, Not an 'Equipment'"
MARTA Board (12 January 2023): "Comment: Streetcar Extension -- A Strategic Mistake"
Saporta Report: "Atlanta can’t afford to get new transit wrong",
TV News (Fox 5): "Atlanta Streetcar expansion could be 'disruptive' of BeltLine life..."
Some humor: The Simpsons Episode: "Monorail!"
Georgia Public Policy Foundation: "Atlanta Streetcar’s Gone Off the Rails"
Reason Magazine: "Is This Atlanta Streetcar 'The Worst Transit Project of All Time'?"
Congestion on the Beltline is dangerous!
The Beltline needs "modal separation"
(i.e. separate tracks for cyclists and pedestrians.)
Separate heels and wheels!
Here are examples of separate tracks at Atlanta's Centennial Park PATH trail and at LA's Santa Monica Strand trail:
(more pix)
A testimonial from Nextdoor.com:
"As
someone who was in a collision with a cyclist today [on the Beltline],
I agree there
needs to be some major change for the safety of all.
I was running
without headphones on, and he was coming from the opposite direction.
We both didn’t see each other and he was going too fast to stop -
we
collided and he went over his handlebars and hit the pavement hard (no
helmet), his front wheel bending in two.
My arm felt like it had broken
but I think I’ll only have a huge bruise to live with.
Had we hit dead
on, we both could’ve been seriously injured.
Sharing my story on
Instagram, I’ve had responses from other people being hit by cyclists
and motorized bikes -
one friend even ended up in the ICU from her
injuries.
What’s happening [on the Beltline] is not ok."
[Source: Nextdoor.com]
AJC (Bill Torpy):
"When Beltline stroll becomes roller derby" [pdf]
Georgia Tech Prof. Hans Klein:
"Radial Routes vs. a Ring Route"
Georgia Tech Prof. Mike Dobbins:
"Atlanta can’t afford to get new transit wrong"
"Reshaping the BeltLine"
"Streetcars on the BeltLine"
What is a good transit system architecture? A star or a loop?
The City of Atlanta, MARTA, and Atlanta Beltline Inc. are planning to run light rail on the Beltline.
This could degrade the Beltline experience.
Motorized rail will reduce safety, the tramway will squeeze cyclists, and safety barriers will reduce access.
Join us to preserve Atlanta's best linear park.
Join us to save the Beltline!