Metro Atlanta Beltline Rail Project Could Veer Off Track

Beltline supporters thought they were on track for what some call the largest urban redevelopment plan in the country, but it doesn’t appear that way anymore.

A last-minute move by the Georgia Department of Transportation to take over rail lines in the northeast corner of metro Atlanta could derail the entire project.

Sybil Smith lives on the proposed beltline loop. The project’s backbone is based on switching industrial-sized rails into a 22-mile light rail system around which developers will spend millions building condos, restaurants and shops.

But all that is veering off track with a last minute move by the Georgia DOT and Amtrak to block the switch to light rail.

"Now suddenly at the last minute after the federal comment period, they want to hold up the beltline plans? It doesn't make sense," said Smith.

Kevin Rathbun owns three restaurants on the beltline.

"A lot of people have bought on the Beltline. They've been buying it for 10 years, even more than that because suspicion of it happening," said Rathbun.

Some fear the project won't happen or that it will be delayed during a long legal battle.

"If it drags out... it could kill it. It's already tough enough with the economy," said Smith.