The newly completed 1.9-mile section bridges the gap between Pittsburgh Yards and Boulevard, effectively linking the city’s east and west corridors. Mayor Andre Dickens and Beltline officials marked the occasion by highlighting the project's evolution from a graduate student's 1999 concept into a centerpiece of Atlanta’s urban landscape. The trail now serves as a major artery, providing access to more than 20 Atlanta Public Schools and connecting diverse residential areas that were previously divided by industrial freight lines.
Atlanta Beltline reaches 17-mile milestone after two decades of work
The Atlanta Beltline achieved a signature milestone this week with the opening of Southside Trail Segments 2 and 3, forming a continuous 16.7-mile loop known as "The U." This expansion connects 36 neighborhoods across the city, marking the most significant progress since the project’s inception two decades ago.
Delivering this connection required complex engineering, including environmental remediation and navigating beneath sixteen lanes of the I-75/85 connector. The project secured over $31 million in federal funding, with support from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s RAISE program and various local partners. As the city prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this infrastructure serves both as a transit corridor and a catalyst for economic growth, with analysts reporting that every dollar of public investment has historically generated 15 dollars in private development. With 16.7 miles now operational, the project remains on track to complete the full 22-mile loop by 2030.
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