Choosing an option preferred by some other U.S. cities redeploying streetcars within their borders, Atlanta on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 said it would share direct operational responsibility of its new streetcar line. Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will partner in the effort.
Atlanta’s initial modern streetcar line will open this year, though perhaps not until late December, according to Mayor Kasim Reed.
Atlanta’s Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is considering extending transit service roughly parallel with Georgia State Highway 400 in North Fulton County, with MARTA rapid rail, light rail, or Bus Rapid Transit options being considered.
MARTA’s Board of Directors authorized a revised contract Monday, May, 13, with URS Energy and Construction, Inc. to design and build the Atlanta Streetcar, with the total price now set at $59 million, up from $52.2 million.
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s Board of Directors on Monday voted to advance its $3.5 billion rail expansion plan, still subject to approval by voter referendum this July.
The Atlanta City Council moved forward with planning the Atlanta streetcar project by voting to approve $9 million to buy new streetcar vehicles and approving a construction contract with MARTA, said Duriya Farooqui, Atlanta’s deputy chief operating officer.
