Figure 56: Light Rail Concept along Norfolk Southern’s Norcross District

could provide right-of-way on which to implement light rail along the northwest quadrant, thus completing the Atlanta BeltLine Light Rail loop. This option is shown in the map in Figure 56.

Figure 56: Light Rail Concept along Norfolk Southern’s Norcross District Source: Author

Totaling five miles between Armour and Bankhead, light rail would run mostly at-grade along the Norcross District, tying into the planned Atlanta BeltLine Light Rail loop Armour Station to the east (in this report, the Atlanta BeltLine Light Rail loop is assumed to connect into the MARTA Red and Gold Lines at Armour, not Lindbergh Center MARTA station). It is assumed to run on similar

guideway to the heavy rail alternative presented previously, but with lower assumed distance between stations.

Eight light rail stations are proposed in this scenario, beginning at Armour: Armour, West ArmourOttley, Brookwood, Atlantic Station, East Atlantic Station, Westside Provisions, Howell Station, and Bankhead. ATL Trains passengers bound for Midtown Atlanta would either transfer twice (at Westside Provisions Station to light rail, then at Armour Station to MARTA’s Red or Gold Rail Lines) or transfer once at Atlanta Central Station. Similarly, passengers bound for Buckhead CBD would also transfer twice (at Westside Provisions Station to light rail, then at Armour Station to MARTA’s Red or Gold Rail Lines).

The estimated capital costs of this service is expected to be about 20 percent less expensive than the heavy rail alternative, at approximately $750 million (assuming a unit cost of $150 million as outlined previously in Figure 2). If implemented, the light rail alternative could yield ridership of approximately 3,700 passengers per day at the eight proposed new light rail stations, including 1,760 at Armour, which would also be shared with the Atlanta BeltLine East light rail corridor.

12.4 ATL SkyTrain East Extension

The ATL SkyTrain is an existing people mover owned by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and connecting the Domestic Terminal to H-JAIA’s Rental Car Center. The ATL SkyTrain serves one intermediate station between the two destinations called Airport Gateway Station, which could have significant implications to the ATL Trains System due to its proximity to the proposed Atlanta Airport West Station. Alternatively, an infill ATL SkyTrain station could potentially be evaluated between Airport Gateway station and the Domestic Terminal, placing ATL SkyTrain access directly adjacent to the proposed Atlanta Airport station. The existing ATL SkyTrain alignment and stations are shown in relation to the ATL Trains System in Figure 57.