ATLANTA — Atlanta's BeltLine is receiving the largest federal grant in its history, which will help connect a MARTA station to the BeltLine for the first time.
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the project a $25 million grant.
Funds will be used to construct a 2.2-mile section of the northeast part of the BeltLine, between the Armour/Ottley and Lindbergh areas. The federal money is a part of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant, also known as RAISE.
“The Northeast segment of the BeltLine is a huge undertaking, but Atlanta does big and we do it well—and we do it together,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
Around two million people use the BeltLine every year, and it will likely serve more people as the federal funds will further complete the northeast portion of the trail.
"This beats traffic, 100%," Daniel Treat, a daily BeltLine user said. "I stopped driving because of it."
Treat said the BeltLine was built near his backyard and he opted to use a scooter instead of a car to get to and from work.
"And now instead of sitting in like 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. traffic, I just get on the BeltLine and go, and I'm there," he said.
The funds will also help the BeltLine project continue to intertwine the regional trail network, affordable housing and job centers.
According to Atlanta BeltLine, Incorporated, the new section of the BeltLine will weave along a complicated route, from I-85, north through the Armour industrial and commercial district, using safe crossings across all of the train rails and Peachtree Creek, and then connect with the Lindbergh MARTA transit station.
"Think about the original premise of the BeltLine," said Clyde Higgs, the president and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. "It is there to give people options in how they get around the city."
Officials said the new trail section will be unique because it does not follow abandoned railroad lines.
Higgs said the new funding means that the entire BeltLine around the city is now on course to be completed by 2030. Trail design is currently 60% complete, officials said.
Residents can attend the next community meeting to stay informed on July 27.