ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council is scheduled to consider a resolution on Monday supporting light rail along the full 22-mile Atlanta Beltline and calling for a detailed plan for how the city could build and pay for the system.
Resolution 26-R-3999, introduced by Councilmember Kelsea Bond, would affirm light rail as a central component of the Beltline vision and support preserving the existing transit right-of-way for eventual rail construction. It would also oppose uses of that corridor that could prevent rail construction or make it substantially more difficult or expensive.
The proposal follows the release of a 3½-year Atlanta Beltline transportation study outlining a potential 22-mile high-capacity light rail system with an estimated cost of $3.5 billion.
The resolution does not authorize construction or establish a project schedule. Instead, it would ask Mayor Andre Dickens’ administration, MARTA, Atlanta Beltline Inc. and other agencies to present the council’s Transportation Committee with an implementation and funding report by Jan. 26, 2027.
The requested report would address potential funding sources, right-of-way preservation, planning and environmental work, agency responsibilities and design considerations. Quarterly updates would follow.
The resolution identifies the More MARTA sales tax as one potential funding source while calling for officials to explore other local, regional, state, federal, private and philanthropic funding. Potential sources mentioned in the measure include Beltline Tax Allocation District revenue through 2030 and federal transportation funding.
It also supports using green track, sometimes called rails on grass, where feasible and says rail should be designed to coexist with trails, parks, trees and surrounding neighborhoods. The measure does not determine which section would be built first or establish a phasing schedule.
The Community Development/Human Services Committee recommended a substituted and amended version Sept. 15 on a 6-0 vote. The full council meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21.
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