1. Clifton Corridor Transit Initiative
Presentation to Medlock Area Neighborhood Association
June 11, 2018

2. agenda Background – Where we started Current – Where we are now
Next steps – Where we’re going
Neighborhood – Project Context
Discussion

3. Alternatives analysis
2009
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Corridors 1 30 +
Selected Alternative:
Potential Alternatives: Corridor Combinations + Transit Type
AA process: evaluation and screening of alternatives, station area planning, heavy stakeholder outreach/input. The AA process started with a potential 30 alternatives based on the routes and transit types being considered. Through the AA process, this was screened down to a single LPA based on evaluation and public input.
Lindbergh Center to Avondale Route
Light Rail Transit
Adopted by MARTA Board in 2012
Transit Types
BRT
Light Rail
Heavy Rail

4. additional alternatives
2009
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Additional/Subsequent Alternatives:
Improved Project Design
Improved Reliability and Frequency of Service Plan
Improved Station Access to Jobs and Activity Centers
Addressed Community and Agency Concerns
Reduced Community Impacts
Improved Traffic Flow
Improved Cost Competitiveness for Federal Funding
Note the Aug 2016 webinar on the Clifton website for additional information on the project background, particularly the development and evaluation of project alternatives leading up to alt 6 and 7

5. Evolution of alternatives
2009
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
End of AA Process: 1 Alternative
Other Alternatives:
New Options to Improve Project
Refinement +
Note the Aug 2016 webinar on the Clifton website for additional information on the project background, particularly the development and evaluation of project alternatives leading up to alt 6 and 7
Preferred
Alternative +
Public Vetting
EIS Alternatives:
Best Two Based
on Evaluation
New Alternatives
To Address Agency &
Public Feedback

6. Project Alternatives & improvements
2009
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Environmental Review and Documentation
(Federally Required NEPA Process) + + +
Transportation:
-Transit Operations
-Impacts on Transportation Network
Community Impacts:
-Property Impacts
-Historic Resources
-Noise/Vibration
-Parks
-Community Facilities
-Land Use
Natural Resources:
-Water Resources
-Natural Habitats And Species -Energy And Air Quality
-HAZMAT Sites
Other:
-Cumulative Impacts
-Construction Impacts -Mitigation

7. Considerations for the Preferred Alternative
Cost Feasibility: Project capital costs must be feasible and cost- effective in order to be competitive for federal funding
Accessibility & Reliability: The project must have convenient, accessible stations as well as reliable and frequent travel times.
Project Impacts: Impacts are unavoidable in this urbanized corridor. There are tradeoffs between project costs and impacts, as well as tradeoffs between types of impacts (e.g. traffic vs. property)
Support: The project must achieve support of the community, stakeholders and public agencies in order to succeed.

8. Regional transit Context
Light Rail from Lindbergh Center station to Avondale station.
Links Red/Gold line to Blue Line
High capacity transit to a major regional job center
CDC/Emory area

9. Preferred (primarily at-grade) light rail alternative
Total Length: 8.3 Miles
10 New Stations, plus…
New light rail platforms within Lindbergh Center and Avondale stations
End to end travel time: minutes
Frequency: Every 7.5 minutes during AM and PM rush (peak periods)
Three tunnel sections
Walk-up station platforms provide convenient user access
For travel time, note this is end-to-end, and you will be able to get from Lindbergh to Emory Univ. in under 9 minutes. You can get from Avondale to DeKalb Medical Center in 8 minutes

10. Current project status
Environmental documentation - Nearing completion of federally required environmental documentation (EIS).
Corridor development and growth continues: Lindbergh Center, Cheshire Bridge Road, Emory University, Suburban Plaza, Avondale TOD. Additional demand on roadway network.
More MARTA sales tax – anticipated local funding for first phase within City of Atlanta (Lindbergh Center to Emory area).

11. More Marta Atlanta
Program: City of Atlanta Sales Tax Funding Transit Improvements
MARTA Board to adopt recommended project list in Fall 2018
Expansion project remains Lindbergh Center to Avondale
City of Atlanta will be able to fund a potential first phase within City of Atlanta
Proposed funding for Clifton light rail:
$500 MM for Local Funding Share
Anticipated 50% Federal Share
Any extension beyond City of Atlanta dependent on other local funding sources
ATLANTA
DEKALB
COUNTY
Clifton Corridor
Light Rail
For travel time, note this is end-to-end, and you will be able to get from Lindbergh to Emory Univ. in under 9 minutes. You can get from Avondale to DeKalb Medical Center in 8 minutes

12. Phase 1 – potential schedule
Next Steps:
Public and stakeholder outreach: determine best alternative and phasing
Complete environmental documentation and publish EIS
Begin project development for federal funding
Engineering

13. LINDBERGH CENTER TO CLIFTON ROAD
Light rail at-grade (ground level) adjacent to existing rail corridors from Lindbergh Center Station to Lenox Road area
Tunnel section from west of Lenox Road to west of Briarcliff Road
Back to grade west of Briarcliff Road to Clifton Road at CDC Parkway
Stations at Cheshire Bridge Road and Briarcliff Road

14. CLIFTON ROAD TO North decatur Road
Stations serving CDC, Emory-Rollins, and Emory University and Hospital
Tunnel under Clifton Road from CDC Parkway to Gatewood Road
Then light rail in median lanes on Clifton Road and Haygood Drive to North Decatur Road

15. North Decatur Road
Light rail operates in exclusive median lanes on North Decatur Road from Haygood Drive to DeKalb Industrial Way
North Decatur will have to be widened to provide adequate right of way
Stations at Clairmont Road, Suburban Plaza, and DeKalb Medical Center
Tunnel under Scott Boulevard/ Medlock Road intersection through Church Street – no rail through these intersections
Short aerial section over creek and low lying areas east of Clairmont Road

16. Dekalb industrial way to avondale station
Light rail operates in center of DeKalb Industrial Way between N. Decatur Road and E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
DeKalb Industrial Way widened for light rail
Stations south of Irvin Way and north of Ponce de Leon (DeKalb Farmers’ Market )
Light rail crosses E. Ponce then parallel to street but south of bike trail
Tracks continue into Avondale station

17. Medlock area Neighborhood context map
Medlock Road
Superior Avenue
Scott Boulevard
Clairmont Road
SUBURBAN PLAZA STATION
(BELOW-GRADE)
Tunnel Section
N. Decatur Road
Add any major points of interest people are familiar with to provide context
N. DECATUR/
CLAIRMONT
STATION
Church Street
Aerial Section

18. Medlock Area considerations
Previous Alternatives:
Light Rail on Scott Boulevard
Light Rail on North Decatur Road: in shared lanes or lane reduction for exclusive lanes
Current/Preferred Alternative:
North Decatur Road in median, dedicated lanes
Aerial section over low area: crossing Superior Ave and creek
Tunnel beneath N. Decatur Road under Scott Blvd. and Church St.

19. Medlock Area considerations
Suburban Plaza Station
Below-grade under N. Decatur/Scott/Medlock intersection – two or more access points to provide more convenient access and reduce intersection crossing for pedestrians
Estimated travel times:
10.5 minutes to Emory-Rollins;
9 minutes to Avondale station;
17 minutes to Lindbergh Center
MEDLOCK
Potential access points
N.DECATUR
SCOTT

20. How you can get involved
Opportunity
Detail
Clifton Corridor Website
Project information, factsheets, newsletters, and event announcements
Additional Neighborhood Meetings
We will be back to further discuss the project with each neighborhood group, including workshops to discuss potential project impacts and solutions in each area.
Project Webinar
July – date to be determined
the Project Team
announcements
- If you signed in today, you will be added to the list. If not, and request addition.
Public Events
Look for Clifton Corridor booths at upcoming festivals.
Next Event: Jazz on the Lawn – Friday, June 29, 2018 Callenwode Fine Arts Center
Public Comment Period & Public Hearing
For 45 days after publication after DEIS publication, including a formal public hearing. Comments received will be incorporated into a Final EIS (FEIS)

21. Questions? Project Contact: Bryan Hobbs, MARTA Project Manager
Thank you for listening. We will now take any questions you have.