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Todd Schnick joins Sandy Springs natives Joey Kline and Andrew Tate to discuss the expansion of the MARTA bus and rail system on this week’s Around Atlanta segment of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Kline and Tate are board members of The Coalition to Advance Atlanta, a non-profit advocacy organization that aims to promote the advancement of transit in metro-Atlanta.
“Right now our biggest goal is to build a coalition,” said Tate. “And that’s a coalition of grassroot citizens and constituents of elected officials.”
Atlanta was ranked by Penske as the No. 1 moving destination in the U.S. for six consecutive years and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Families and business that relocate to Atlanta depend on reliable and effective transportation. With current terminus points that limit the use of MARTA in areas outside of the popular perimeter, residents in nearby suburbs are unable to have access to this transit system. Here are some of the major plans that have been put in place for MARTA, which appeal to the increase in residential development for regions that would be able to take advantage of one of the city’s greatest assets:
- Expansion of the red line from its current terminus at North Springs to go along GA 400 to Windward Parkway, which is beneficial for people who work or live in Alpharetta.
- Clifton Corridor is designed to go from Lindbergh through Lenox and the Morningside community, Emory Hospital, Emory University and Avondale Estate station.
- Extension of heavy-rail line along I-20 to Lithonia at the Mall at Stonecrest.
- Light-rail line that will connect the Avondale Estate stations, Lindberg and the Emory University and Hospital area.
An ambitious bill was drafted in hopes of potentially expanding MARTA and giving Atlanta and Fulton County voters to have a voice in this decision about the current public transportation infrastructure. The passing of this bill is estimated to contribute billions of dollars and thousands of jobs to Atlanta’s growing economy.
To learn more about this hot topic of MARTA expansion, click play in the podcast player above or visit www.AdvanceAtlanta.com.
UPDATE: Since the recording of this podcast, the Georgia House of Representatives passed the MARTA expansion bill.
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