Atlanta's Beltline Project On Track

By Dave Bender

Atlanta, GA – Terri Montague, outgoing Beltline president and CEO, speaking at a quarterly update Thursday evening, says:

MONTAGUE OPENER: :13
"...WE ARE THRILLED BY THE PROGRESS THAT WE'VE MADE, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN WITHOUT FIGHTS, BUT THROUGH THE FIGHTS, WE'VE GAINED SOME NEW PARTNERS, GAINED SOME NEW UNDERSTANDING AND GAINED SOME NEW COLLABORATION AT THE REGION AND THE STATE LEVEL..."

Atlanta Beltline Incorporated gained approval after a rail-line, right-of-way tussle with the Georgia Department of Transportation, MARTA, AMTRAK and other groups earlier this year.

Montague says that - despite a weak bond market - backers are optimistic about raising funds for the 25-year project, in addition to donations, local, state, and federal monies.

Officials say construction of several hiking trails along the 22-mile path around the city will begin this fall, and that several could open by next summer.

For WABE News, I'm Dave Bender.