Atlanta City Council backs light rail along full 22-mile Beltline loop – CBS News

Atlanta City Council backs light rail along full 22-mile Beltline loop  CBS News

The Atlanta City Council voted unanimously Monday to back a plan that could move the long-debated question of light rail on the Atlanta BeltLine closer to a decision about how and whether to build it. The Atlanta City Council voted unanimously Monday to back a plan that could move the long-debated question of light rail on the Atlanta Beltline closer to a decision on whether and how to build it. Council members approved the resolution 14-0, affirming the city's support for light rail along the full 22-mile Beltline corridor and calling on the mayor's office to work with MARTA, Atlanta Beltline, Inc., and other city departments on next steps to implement and fund the project.

The resolution does not authorize construction or commit the city to spending billions of dollars on rail. Instead, it calls for city officials and transit agencies to report back by Jan. 26, 2027, with implementation and funding information. Councilmember Kelsea Bond, who authored the resolution, said the goal is to bring clarity to a project she believes has been left uncertain for too long. "Beltline rail has felt like it's in limbo for about a year and a half to voters all over the city," Bond told CBS Atlanta. "And we owe it to them to at least tell them what's coming next. How are