The city of Atlanta and Atlanta BeltLine Inc. have closed on 1.8 miles of former railroad corridor on Atlanta’s resurgent Westside, a stretch of track informally known as “the Kudzu Line,” according to a press release.
The purchase provides land for the mainline corridor, in addition to creating points of contact for potential spur trails that would connect the neighborhoods of Bankhead, English Avenue, Knight Park and Howell Station.
This key piece of the Atlanta BeltLine loop will also allow for access to the Bankhead MARTA station, Maddox Park, the future Westside Park at Bellwood Quarry, as well as a future link to the newly-opened Proctor Creek Greenway.
The $6.3 million purchase was entirely funded by TSPLOST, funds approved by city of Atlanta voters in 2016 for special local transportation projects. The transaction gives ABI and the city of Atlanta control of approximately 80 percent of the corridor needed to construct the Atlanta BeltLine trail and transit loop. The remaining 20 percent, on the north/northwest side of the loop, is active railroad and non-railroad properties.
“CSX is excited to work with Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. to finalize yet another property transaction that advances ABI’s vision,” said CSX Regional Vice President of State Relations Craig Camuso. “After working earlier this year to secure the sale of a critical piece of railroad corridor for the Southside Trail, CSX and ABI continue to build momentum for this project, which will enhance connectivity among Atlanta’s neighborhoods and spur sustainable economic growth.”
Over the next six months, CSX will be removing the rails. ABI will evaluate next steps regarding converting the corridor to an interim trail. The public is prohibited from using the corridor until ABI announces that it has been brought to a safe standard.
About the Author
