Woodall Rail Trail breaks ground as first segment of Silver Comet Connector

People exercise on a gravel path at the Beltline on Tuesday, May 3, 2020. On Tuesday, the James M. Cox Foundation announced a $30 million donation to the Atlanta Beltline — a gift that helps ensure the 22-mile path remains on track for a 2030 completion. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Credit: Miguel Martinez

People exercise on a gravel path at the Beltline on Tuesday, May 3, 2020. On Tuesday, the James M. Cox Foundation announced a $30 million donation to the Atlanta Beltline — a gift that helps ensure the 22-mile path remains on track for a 2030 completion. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Construction of a new trail, which will be the first segment connecting the Silver Comet to the BeltLine, started this week.

The Woodall Rail Trail will run 0.7 miles and provide safe walking and biking infrastructure in a neighborhood lacking sidewalks and greenspace.

The Silver Comet Trail, which runs through Cobb, Paulding and Polk counties and connects to the Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama, totals 94.5 miles.

Elizabeth Hollister, the executive director of the Upper Westside Community Improvement District, said there has been considerable demand for alternative transportation in the area, and this project will help address it.

The project also will preserve nature in the city and allows the public to “experience the outdoors right around some pretty dense urban growth,” Hollister said.

The trail begins at the future Northwest Beltline connection at Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard and Elaine Avenue. It continues north to the intersection of Chattahoochee Avenue and Chattahoochee Row at The Works—also passing popular spots in the area like Topgolf Atlanta.

The trail also follows along Woodall Creek.

Construction of a new trail, the first segment of the Silver Comet Connector, started Tuesday in the Upper Westside.

Credit: Upper Westside Community Improvement District

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Credit: Upper Westside Community Improvement District

The trail is expected to open by early 2025.

The trail is funded by grants from the Department of Natural Resources and project partners Groundwork Atlanta, PATH Foundation and the Upper Westside Community Improvement District.