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Council puts a deadline on the BeltLine rail question

Atlanta City Council is considering resolution 26-R-3999, which backs light rail around the full 22-mile BeltLine and requests an implementation and funding update by January 26, 2027.

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Abl Transit Study Map with Marta Infill Stations
Project imageAbl Transit Study Map with Marta Infill StationsAtlanta BeltLine
Transit Rendering of Southside Trail at Pittsburgh Yards
Project renderingTransit Rendering of Southside Trail at Pittsburgh YardsSouthside Trail At Pittsburgh Yards
Transit Rendering of Southside Trail Under Berne Street Bridge
Project renderingTransit Rendering of Southside Trail Under Berne Street BridgeSouthside Trail Under Berne Street Bridge
Transit Rendering of Westside Trail at Rda
Project renderingTransit Rendering of Westside Trail at RdaWestside Trail At Rda
Aerial rendering of a scenic paved trail with cyclists and pedestrians, adjacent to a lush green space and tram tracks, under a blue sky.
Project renderingAerial rendering of a scenic paved trail with cyclists and pedestrians, adjacent to a lush green space and tram tracks, under a blue sky.Pittsburgh Yards

Published Sep 21, 2026

Atlanta City Council is considering a resolution that backs light rail around the full 22-mile BeltLine and asks the Dickens administration, MARTA and Atlanta BeltLine for an implementation and funding update by January 26, 2027. The measure supports existing transit right-of-way and grass-track designs where feasible.

It does not choose a first segment or supply the money, but it would put a dated reporting requirement on a plan that has been stalled.

Why it matters

The resolution would force the city's transit partners to return with a dated implementation and funding account instead of leaving the rail concept in limbo.

LocationFull 22-mile BeltLine
JurisdictionCity of Atlanta
Scale$3.5B planning vision
TimelineUpdate requested by Jan. 26, 2027
WhoAtlanta City Council · MARTA · Atlanta BeltLine
LinksAtlanta BeltLine · Atlanta City Council · MARTA
Sources and documents2 sources
↗ Atlanta BeltLine Inc.↗ Atlanta City Council

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Both involveAtlanta BeltLine

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Project: Beltline Transit Study
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Shared topicTransit

Milestone

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