Atlanta Beltline Unveils $3.5B Light-Rail Plan Aiming for 4.2M Riders

Atlanta Beltline officials released final recommendations for a $3.5 billion light-rail system along the Beltline corridor, designating the CSX alignment as the northwest route for faster trips and direct access to Piedmont Hospital. The plan envisions 13 stations across the southwest and southeast corridors, three bi-directional routes with 20-minute headways operating roughly 6 a.m.–12:30 a.m., and projects about 4.2 million annual riders. The study also includes a potential MARTA heavy-rail infill at Murphy Crossing and notes that funding and further planning are needed, with public feedback due by Nov. 3.