Wednesday, June 30, 2004

TRANSIT COULD TRANSFORM ATLANTA

Maria Saporta says that "metro Atlanta could be completely transformed if all the innovative rail projects now being contemplated actually see the light of day." Saporta illustrates the plausibility of implementing a number of area rail projects as well as the gravity of making these projects happen in the very near future. She notes that ARC Public Forums consistently reveal that people feel "the kind of transportation funding needed in the urbanized areas of the region is transit (from MARTA to light rail to streetcar) combined with pedestrian/bicycle facilities."

Not only will these rail initiatives reduce dependence on our cars, but they will also result in economic development and a healthier environment for all of us.

Click here to read Maria Saporta's column in the AJC Horizon.

Tuesday, June 29, 2004

DEFINITIONS:

Rails with Trails: Greenway trails running alongside active railway.

Rails to Trails: Old railroad rights of way converted into greenway trail transportation networks.

Trails without Rails: Community activist groups working to prevent re-establishment of rail service where trails share the right of way.

Trail~Rail Hot Spots: Areas where trail networks feed into Rail Stations.

Rail Estate: Real Estate located within the pedestrian shed (1/2 mile) of a Rail Station.

Trail Estate: Real Estate located within 1/2 mile of greenway trail access.

Thursday, June 24, 2004

Earlier this month, the Hampton City Council unanimously approved a Resolution supporting the PATH organization and the building of greenway trails in Hampton. Coinciding with this fantastic step forward, the City recently received a $500,000 Transportation Enhancement Grant from GDOT. The purpose of the grant is “to build or improve trails, sidewalks, greenways, streetscapes and historic transportation-related facilities.”

The next step is the creation of a Master Trail Plan for the City of Hampton by PATH Foundation. This Master Plan, combined with the current GDOT Grant and support from the City Council and Hampton Citizens provides powerful momentum for making this vision a reality. It also makes us eligible for GDOT Recreational Trail Grants, starting this Fall. These can be substantial and could serve to further jump-start our Initiative. Our immediate goal is to designate and build a “show mile” of trail that connects as many communities with as many public facilities, schools, shopping and other destinations as possible. Achieving this will help everyone to see the tremendous value this Network will bring to our community.

Friday, June 11, 2004

The Grand Opening of The Arabia Trail, Dekalb County's latest collaboration with PATH Foundation on a community trail network, will be on June 14, 10:00 am, Nature Center at Arabia Mountain Park.

Join Congresswoman Denise Majette, DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones, and other community leaders as they cut the ribbon on DeKalb county’s newest greenway trail.

For more trail information, including maps, click to the Trail Fact Sheet.

Thursday, June 10, 2004

XPRESS BUSES ARE A GOOD STOPGAP UNTIL ATLANTA-MACON COMMUTER LINE BEGINS SERVICE

On June 7 my family and I rode the Xpress Line from the Raceway [Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Georgia] to Five Points Station in downtown Atlanta. The bus is very nice and it only took about 45 minutes to get downtown. Of course, riding on I-75 is much more pleasant than driving on it! With the exception of a couple of scheduling glitches (which I'm sure will be ironed out quickly) it was a good experience. I was excited to see people riding to and from work - it's great to be connected to the city. While the Xpress Line is a nice alternative to driving up 19/41 and I-75 it is in no way a good long term transportation solution. In order to keep this bus "express" we will need more H.O.V. lanes. (A bus is the same slave to traffic as an automobile!) A better long term solution is a commuter rail which would use tracks that already exist and will truly be "express". The entire Atlanta to Macon commuter train line will cost about the same as building 9 miles of H.O.V. lane!!!

- Originally posted on the Neighborhood Forum at OurHampton.com

Saturday, June 05, 2004

The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart.

- Iris Murdoch, writer (1919-1999)