MARTA is pushing forward with a massive expansion project, and wants to hear from you.
Starting this week, MARTA will host a series of open houses and public meetings for its Clifton Corridor Transit Initiative. The expansion, which is a part of its larger 2040 program, will introduce a new transit line from MARTA’s existing Lindbergh station to Avondale and Decatur stations. MARTA is studying 10 alternatives, including bus rapid transit and light rail transit along the Clifton Corridor, within Atlanta, unincorporated DeKalb County, and Decatur.
Over the next two weeks, the transit authority will host a series of in-person and virtual public meetings to give updates on the project. Most importantly, the events will serve as a forum to collect feedback from riders.
Here’s what you need to know:
What’s being discussed
The key stops tied to the proposed new corridor are Emory University, Emory University Hospital, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — Egleston, and Atlanta VA Medical Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about 10 alternatives under study and give feedback directly to the project team.
Open house details
This week, there are two open houses:
- Thursday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Emory Rollins School of Public Health Auditorium. RSVP here.
- Saturday, July 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in MARTA headquarters at Lindbergh Center. Pick a time slot and register here.
Both events will also be livestreamed via Zoom.
Why it matters
Recent data shows that Black passengers make up almost 70% of MARTA’s overall ridership. With the proposed expansion to one of Georgia’s largest employment centers, the stakes will be high for Black residents who are looking for or may rely on alternative means of transportation.
