COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Kevin Cruse enjoys a good bike ride when the weather cooperates. He's looking forward to the new trail being installed just a few yards away from his front door. The Silver Comet Connector, once completed, will run right through his Old Atlanta Station Neighborhood, which sits just off Atlanta Road.
“I’m personally very excited about it. It’s been a long time coming," Cruse said. "We saw trucks. There were signs that something was about to happen, and so over the past 30 to 45 days, we’ve seen more increased activity.”
Cruse said while he's looking forward to the new trail, he wants to know there will be ample signage and lighting to protect drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
"There are a number of opportunities to increase the safety of this, and we don’t see any signs of it happening," Cruse said. "That’s a major concern. It’s a significant liability concern. It’ll only take one or two indidvudals to unfortunately sustain an accident. God forbid someone were to be killed -- it’s a significant concern."
The PATH Foundation is spearheading planning efforts for the Silver Comet Connector, which will tie together the Silver Comet Trail and the Atlanta BeltLine. 11Alive reached out to the PATH Foundation to ask about what safety measures it plans to implement in building out the connector trail but hasn't heard back.
Cruse said it would be too costly for the neighborhood association to foot the bill for security efforts. Kirstin Popper hopes the foundation listens, because the trail's safety is personal for her.
"My father was actually hit by a semi crossing the road when he was on the Silver Comet Trail, and they even had a crosswalk sign up," Popper said. "He was listening to headphones and walking, and it didn't occur to him. Some signage, anything to make people aware on both sides would be helpful. Make the drivers aware, but also make the pedestrians aware. This is a road you’re crossing, so both parties should be looking out for each other and protecting everyone’s safety.”
Popper also worries the trail could bring more crime to the area. Other residents fear a green space dedicated to the neighborhood's use could be overrun with people who think it's a rest area for the trail. Popper said she would like to see an extended gate or fence to protect the privacy of people whose homes sit right next to the path.
"It’ll make it easier for us to exercise and be outdoors more, and it's just overwhelmingly good," Popper said. "But there are things that should be paid attention to to make sure there aren't any unexpected or unanticipated negative consequences."
It's unclear when the Silver Comet Connector might be completed, and while neighbors what the connection, they also want to make sure their concerns are heard too.