Proposed BeltLine Transit Tunnel Gets A Plan B
In this Nov. 20, 2012 photo, pedestrians walk their dogs along the Atlanta BeltLine in Atlanta. Since an Atlanta nonprofit opened a 2.25-mile-long paved trail east of downtown last month, it has attracted a steady stream of joggers, dog-walkers and cyclists to take in spectacular views of the skyline as well as a slice of established neighborhoods that were once only seen by riding a freight train. The Eastside Trail is the latest and most visible phase of the Atlanta BeltLine, an ambitious $2.8 billion plan to transform a 22-mile railroad corridor that encircles Atlanta into a network of parks, trails, public art, affordable homes and ultimately streetcars. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
After a storm of criticism this past week from transit advocates, Atlanta BeltLine officials have proposed an alternative for a potential tunnel route under Inman Park’s Hulsey Train Yard.
First things first: The big idea behind the BeltLine is a loop of transit and trails ringing the city. But there’s one big obstacle to closing the loop: a CSX railyard south of Inman Park that spans nearly a full mile east to west.
Last week, Atlanta BeltLine Inc. unveiled a plan for a tunnel under the yard. The tunnel was part of a mixed-use development from North American Properties.
But critics, including BeltLine mastermind Ryan Gravel, said the tunnel was too narrow for both a train and a walkway. It’s also too long, they said, to build transit affordably.
Then this week, the BeltLine group proposed a shorter, wider tunnel it says eliminates both concerns to the Inman Park Neighborhood Association board.
Neil Kinkoff, the board president is okay with the new tunnel, but says it just shows that Atlantans should pay close attention to any BeltLine plans.
“I think it’s important for people not just to assume that ABI will do what is best for the BeltLine. Because there might be a difference of opinion about what that best thing is,” Kinkoff said.
ABI principle engineer Catherine Owens said transit remains a top priority for the organization, as property along the BeltLine continues to be redeveloped.
“What’s important … is that no matter how that’s redeveloped, that it is [done so] in a manner that we know we can bring transit through in the future through a tunnel, if that’s the route that’s selected,” Owens said.
Another route involves no tunnel under the CSX yard at all, but instead takes BeltLine transit around the trainyard through several neighborhoods.
Owens said all routes are still on the table and that ABI does not favor one over the other.
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