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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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: 26.5 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

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).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

How you can get involved Opportunity Detail Clifton Corridor Website https://www.itsmarta.com/clifton-corridor-overview.aspx 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 Email the Project Team clifton@itsmarta.com Email announcements - If you signed in today, you will be added to the list. If not, email clifton@itsmarta.com 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)

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