An exclusive report published Tuesday by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has revealed a secret vote to halt light rail construction on Atlanta’s Eastside Beltline. The meeting, which included officials from MARTA, Atlanta Beltline, Inc. and the City of Atlanta, took place in May 2025 and had not been publicly acknowledged since then.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution transportation reporter Sara Gregory says she unexpectedly discovered the meeting while sifting through an open records request. Atlanta city councilmembers were among those who only learned of the vote as Gregory sought comment for her story, prompting questions on whether the vote adhered to public meeting laws on major decisions.
“In the course of our reporting, though, the city has said that they would be taking it to the MARTA board now,” said Gregory, who added that MARTA already directed contractors to stop design work for the light rail project. “There were planning meetings … and that all stopped after this vote.”
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