(ATLANTA, Ga.) — The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Thursday, a MARTA board committee voted to advance transit expansion projects in and around the metro area. Atlanta, Clayton County, and DeKalb County would all see investments in public transit in the next few years.

The big ticket items include the following:

Bankhead Station upgrades.

Ever since it was initially constructed, the Green Line’s western terminus has only had the facilities to support trains with 2 cars, as opposed to the standard 8 for the rest of the MARTA system. The board’s committee plans to award a $6 million contract to Axis Infrastructure to design a platform extension.

Once implemented, the platform would fit into a larger refurbishment of the Bankhead neighborhood. Although Microsoft’s plans to construct a new campus in the area have been put on an indefinite hold, MARTA is moving forward with the platform extension and transit-based development. The project is expected to begin in 2025, with an eye towards 2027 for opening.

Clayton Southlake Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

Heath & Lineback Engineers are the firm that’s received a $275,000 contract to study concepts for the bus rapid transit line. The idea, in its current form, uses mostly dedicated bus lanes to connect the College Park MARTA station with Southlake Mall in Clayton County. The line would be 15.5 miles long, and trim almost 20 minutes off travel time between the two destinations.

The project is expected to cost about $338 million, with the line opening in 2026.

Candler Road Arterial Rapid Transit (ART).

A third route, connecting Georgia State University’s Decatur campus to Avondale Station, is planned for DeKalb County. It would run 8.1 miles along Panthersville Road, Candler Road, and Memorial Drive before connecting with the Blue Line just outside Decatur’s city square.

ART bus service typically operates in mixed traffic with other vehicles and is characterized by short wait times, traffic signal priority, queue jump lanes, and enhanced amenities, according to MARTA’s factsheet.

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