Decatur commission likely to approve proposed interconnected path plan

Though currently only one mile long, the South Peachtree Creek Trail between Mason Mill Park and Medlock Park near Decatur is considered one of the PATH Foundation’s true gems. Completed several years ago, this trail goes mostly through woods or, as shown here, through a bridge over a CSX mainline track. PATH is hoping next year to begin an ambitious interconnected system of seven separate bike paths and trails throughout Decatur totaling nine miles. Courtesy of the PATH Foundation.

Though currently only one mile long, the South Peachtree Creek Trail between Mason Mill Park and Medlock Park near Decatur is considered one of the PATH Foundation’s true gems. Completed several years ago, this trail goes mostly through woods or, as shown here, through a bridge over a CSX mainline track. PATH is hoping next year to begin an ambitious interconnected system of seven separate bike paths and trails throughout Decatur totaling nine miles. Courtesy of the PATH Foundation.

Decatur commissioners approved a connectivity master plan Monday night, designed in collaboration between the city and Atlanta’s PATH Foundation.

During a work session two weeks ago PATH’S Executive Director Ed McBrayer detailed an ambitious interconnected system of seven separate bike paths and trails throughout the city totaling nine miles.

The city would like to get started on the first segment next year, a cycle track on Commerce Drive from Clairmont Avenue to the North McDonough/Trinity Place intersection.

Another major component is a trail heading south on McDonough, from College Avenue to Oakview Road — going off road through a portion of the Agnes Scott campus — right on Oakview, through Oakhurst and to the city limits at Hosea Williams Drive. South of Oakhurst Village, Oakview will include one-way automobile traffic in each direction, a two-way cycle track and a green median with plants.

Projected cost is about $12 million and is expected to take 10 years to implement.

This would be PATH’s first project in Decatur since 1995, when it did the city’s portion of the Stone-Mountain-Atlanta Trail, the South Decatur Trolley Trail, and the brief Green Street Trail.