MARTA board approves $2.7 billion transit expansion

Written by Railway Age Staff
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Light rail leads $2.7 billion in expansion projects unanimously approved by Atlanta’s MARTA board of directors.

A half-penny tax increase approved by voters in 2016 will fund the improvements.

The plan for 17 projects, under development for two years, includes 22 miles of light rail, including a late addition of $200 million for the BeltLine light rail. It also includes 14 miles of bus-related expansion, new transit centers and upgrades to existing rail stations.

There was mixed reaction following the vote on the controversial plan, which left out some projects such as a rail line to the Westside.

Jeffrey Parker, MARTA general manager and chief executive, said he expects to present the expansion’s priority list to the board in about two months.

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