Atlanta — Another Extension

Rail Transit Online, August 2006

The mayoral task force planning a new streetcar line along the Peachtree Corridor has recommended adding a half-mile (0.8 km) track segment north to the city's border with DeKalb County near Club Drive.  Also being discussed is another short extension from Club Drive through DeKalb to MARTA’s Brookhaven rail station.  “The question is,” said task force co-chairman Tom Bell, “`How far north do we go?'”  In June, the task force called for prolonging the basic 14.2-mi. (22.9 km) Peachtree route about two miles (3.2 km) south, allowing streetcar passengers to connect with the future Beltline transit loop.  If all of the extensions are built, the streetcar would cover more than 17 mi. (27.3 km).  The capital cost still hasn’t been determined but a 2004 consultant study estimated the price tag at $22.5 million per mile.  The task force is scheduled to present a plan for financing and building the streetcar early in 2007.