FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
July 27, 2023
MARTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADVANCES SLATE OF PROJECTS
LPAs Approved for BRT & ART Lines, Contract for New Buses
Awarded
ATLANTA
– Today the committees of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
(MARTA) Board of Directors advanced several projects in the City of Atlanta and
DeKalb County and awarded a $226 million contract to New Flyer for fixed-route
buses.
The five-year contract with New Flyer
includes 180: 45 battery electric and 135 compressed natural gas (CNG). Federal
funds from Sen. Jon Ossoff and the Federal Transit Administration’s Low and No
Emissions grant will support the electric bus purchases. The contract also
includes an option to purchase fuel-cell powered buses as hydrogen is explored
by regional leaders.
A board committee today approved an amended
locally preferred alternative (LPA) for Campbellton Corridor BRT that changes
the route from an alignment south of Greenbrier Mall to a flyover over I-285
from Greenbriar Parkway to Barge Road Park & Ride. The flyover creates
faster more direct access from future Greenbriar Mall Station to Barge Road
Station, cutting travel time roughly in half from the current local bus
service. The amended LPA features bridges over Highway 154 and I-285 with ramps
to the BRT stations, exclusive bus-only lanes, and a 10’ multi-use path. The
new flyover is expected to cost approximately $15 - $25 million and will remain
within the overall project budget of $300 million. The project is one of the
nine Tier 1 projects and is expected to open in 2028.
Two
DeKalb County projects also advanced, including the Buford Highway arterial
rapid transit (ART). Currently served by MARTA’s highest ridership route, Route
39, the 10-mile route on Buford Highway connects Lindbergh Center Station to
Doraville Station. The project includes traffic signal priority for faster,
more reliable service, and distinct shelters that include seating and real-time
service information screens and is expected to begin operating in 2026.
The
South DeKalb Transit Hub moves into final design with the approval of a
solicitation of proposals for final design services. The transit hub will
improve customers’ experience and bus-to-bus transfers in South DeKalb by
providing covered waiting area with seating, restrooms, a customer service
kiosk, MPD area and real-time bus arrival information. The hub is designed to
accommodate current and future high-capacity routes. The total project cost is
$37 million, and the hub will be operational in 2026.
The full MARTA Board will vote
on these items at its next monthly meeting, Aug. 10, at 1:30 p.m.
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