The 4-mile-long Southside Trail opened for use by the public in an interim state at the end of August and the first segment to go into construction will be on the western side of the corridor. Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) published an Invitation to Bid for the “Southside Trail – West” seeking a firm to complete construction on this segment. We anticipate breaking ground before the end of the year.

Southside Trail – West will be just under one mile and will run from the southern terminus of the Westside Trail at University Avenue to the Annie E. Casey Foundation site at Pittsburgh Yards, just west of the I-75/85 overpass. This segment was selected as the first in a phased approach to construction due to its connection between three open and emerging job centers – Pittsburgh Yards, Murphy Crossing, and Lee + White. Pittsburgh Yards is a generational opportunity to provide a job creation hub for surrounding communities.

While the Southside Trail – West segment is now open in an interim state, it will be closed to public access once construction begins. Construction will include a 14-foot-wide concrete trail; ADA access at Allene Avenue, Metropolitan Parkway, Pittsburgh Yards, and Capitol View Manor with appropriate crosswalks and signalization; a new pedestrian bridge over Metropolitan Parkway; advanced environmental remediation of the corridor; lights; security cameras; stainless steel handrails; utility relocations; stormwater drainage; retention walls; and full landscaping (managed by Trees Atlanta). 

We continue to advance design and real estate acquisition necessary to pave the full 4-mile length of the Southside Trail. While additional funding is needed for the remaining construction, the corridor is scheduled to be shovel-ready by 2020.

With access to 11 public streets, residents and visitors can now connect between neighborhoods and to their favorite local businesses along the trail.

As a reminder, interim trails are unpaved, have limited access points, and do not have additional lighting. Visitors can use these pleasant retreats at their own risk and are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear or use a bicycle that can handle graded railroad gravel and other rough terrain.

Interested parties may view the full Invitation to Bid for the “Southside Trail – West” here. Bids are due on Friday, October 18, 2019 at 1 p.m. EST. The selected general contractor shall complete the project no later than 365 calendar days from receiving a Notice to Proceed.