Atlanta Beltline begins Northwest Trail construction and plans $3.5B light rail

The Atlanta Beltline has commenced construction on a new one-mile segment of the Northwest Trail, known as Segment 3B. This project aims to connect several neighborhoods, including Underwood Hills and Collier Hills, to the existing trail network. The segment will feature a new pedestrian bridge crossing Northside Drive and will extend through the Atlanta Technology Center property and along the Tanyard Creek concrete channel. Groundbreaking for the final portion of the Northwest Trail is scheduled for September 10, 2026.

In a separate but related development, official plans for the Atlanta Beltline light rail system project an estimated $3.5 billion investment. The proposed transit network would span 24 miles of dedicated tracks across three comprehensive light rail lines. The capital expense for six major corridor segments is estimated at approximately $3.03 billion, with the Northwest Quadrant alone projected to cost $800 million for 5.5 miles. The system aims to serve millions of passengers annually and reduce reliance on personal vehicles.