Just six miles of unused railroad track separate the Silver Comet Trail from the Atlanta Beltline, and some green space advocates want Georgia to close the gap.

A small group representing Connect The Comet delivered a petition of nearly 4,000 signatures in support of the project to Gov. Nathan Deal's office Wednesday.

The Silver Comet runs all the way to Alabama and currently ends in Smyrna near the intersection of the East-West Connector and South Cobb Drive.

Roberta Cook, a member of Connect The Comet, said the state already owns the Silver Comet, and so acquiring the remaining section falls to it.

“The trail is of statewide significance, just as the Atlanta Beltline is,” Cook said. “We’re trying to really connect the two pedestrian resources together.”

Translated into Atlantan: “It’s like connecting 285 to 75, only for pedestrians.”

Cook said her group hopes to hear back from the Governor’s Office within a week.

Advocates for completing the Silver Comet Trail delivered a petition to Gov. Nathan Deal Wednesday (Courtesy of Connect the Comet).
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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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