(ATLANTA, Ga.) — MARTA’s plan to expand streetcar service will be up for debate Thursday night, at a town hall meeting at Haugabrooks Funeral Home on historic Auburn Avenue.
The Streetcar East Extension could include light rail on the BeltLine, and have an impact on local residents and businesses.
Local reactions have been mixed, with some fearing interruptions to businesses and others championing green, public transit that could help ease Atlanta’s eternal traffic burdens.
Potential stops for the light rail extension could include economic hotspots like the Edgewood Commercial District and Ponce City Market, and other points of interest like the Carter Center and the Old 4th Ward Skate Park.
MARTA is holding a public town hall meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. for residents of the Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park neighborhoods.
The first of Atlanta’s streetcars have been repaired and will be back on the streets for testing starting Tuesday, Feb. 28. Four of MARTA’s streetcars were pulled from service in November after engineers discovered wheel degradation that could pose a safety risk.
The delay has been attributed to part shortages from overseas suppliers.
Following testing, the streetcars are anticipated to return to service on Thursday, March 2.
The cost of the replacement wheels is about $400,000 and is being paid through MARTA’s capital budget.
More details on the project can be found on MARTA’s website.