Work Quietly Begins on Beltline Corridor ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - After four years of planning, meeting, and studies, work quietly began last month to start clearing the Beltline corridor. Contractors have started to remove rail lines from the Northeast quadrant of the proposed 22-mile loop that will connect Atlanta's neighborhoods.

WABE's Odette Yousef reports.

Work on some parks and trails that will run parallel to the corridor began nearly two years ago.

DAVIDSON: But now it's really exciting because we're beginning to focus on the corridor itself.

Ethan Davidson is spokesperson for Atlanta Beltline Inc.

DAVIDSON: So what we're seeing today are these contractors, who are hired by Norfolk Southern rail company, are taking up the rails that have been here - some of them, for over 100 years. The oldest rail they've found so far is from 1904, 1905, 1908, 1912.

The stretch extends north of the Whole Foods on Ponce de Leon Avenue to the intersection of Monroe Drive and 10th Avenue. Half-a-dozen workers cut through the steel, hammer out the bolts, collect them, and then lift the rail up with a bobcat and tractor.

Angel Poventud, a CSX train operator and self-described Beltline cheerleader, says this stage is a big deal.

POVENTUD: Definitely walking in the corridor a couple of weeks ago, coming upon construction equipment that I had been expecting for a couple of months. But actually seeing it, I was really excited. I think I probably had tears in my eyes, after 4 years of meetings.

Though far from its final vision, which also includes affordable housing, and light rail, this work will allow an interim use of the route.

DAVIDSON: We just want to open up the corridor and make it accessible and safe.

Davidson says once Beltline workers do that, that portion of the corridor will be open to hikers.

The $2.8 billion project is expected to take 25 years.

Odette Yousef, WABE News.
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