Study Purpose and Context
MARTA is undertaking a high-level reassessment and evaluation of transit improvements to the WestLine Corridor that were proposed in 2004. At that time, the MARTA board adopted a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) that recommended a heavy rail extension to the interchange of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and I-285 and a Bus Rapid Transit segment along I-20 to Fulton Industrial Boulevard. Since 2004, there have been many changes to study area demographics, land use, growth, and changes to Georgia DOT policies. Because of these changes, MARTA is reassessing the LPA to determine if these recommendations still meet the needs of the corridor.
Study Area
The study area is located in the City of Atlanta and Fulton County approximately five miles west of Downtown Atlanta and is bounded by the Chattahoochee River (Cobb County line) to the west, Bankhead Highway (SR 78) to the north, Hamilton E. Holmes Drive to the east and Cascade Road to the south. Encompassing more than 11,000 acres, the study area includes a population of approximately 35,000 within three City of Atlanta Neighborhood Planning Units: H, I, and J. The study area also includes a portion of the Fulton Industrial Boulevard Business District, home to 30,000 jobs.
Study Approach
The WestLine Corridor Reassessment study consists of two phases:
- Phase I includes initial outreach consisting of interviews with key stakeholders.
- Phase II consists of assessing existing conditions, identifying and evaluating project alternatives, and producing recommendations.
The outcome of the WestLine Reassessment is expected to be an alternative with strong public support from both neighborhoods and businesses.