After nearly two years of construction, travelers, tourists and residents of downtown Atlanta can officially make room for the city’s newest addition—the Atlanta Streetcar.
In early June, downtown residents will see their first glimpse of the 96,500 pound S70 streetcars, according to Sharon Gavin, Communications Director for the Atlanta Streetcar.
“We will power the overhead system and then we will start testing the cars,” Sharon Gavin said in a May 2 interview. “We are all just so excited about this, to finally see the streetcars running on the streets.”
During the mandatory testing period, the S70s started running between 10 and 15 miles per hour during nighttime hours. This was also when the streetcar operators began their training.
“The first thing they do is tow the streetcar around the system to look at clearance and making sure we maintain contact with all the wires,” Gavin said. “Then we will start low-speed tests and this will be when people will first see the streetcars on the streets.”
Once the streetcar testing is complete in the second quarter of 2014, the S70s will run at a maximum operational speed of 35 miles per hour.
“Then we will go with control testing at speeds and that’s where the streetcars run with traffic,” she said.
Community involvement:
Gavin said the Atlanta Streetcar Project team are making arrangements with groups to conduct safety presentations.
On May 18 from 2 p.m. – 6 p,m., there was a safety station set up outside of the Peachtree MARTA station.
“At that event will be specifically presenting information for cyclists concerning safety around the Atlanta Streetcar tracks,” she said in the May 1 interview.
Although there are currently no other dates for events individuals can attend, Gavin also said the streetcar’s official website would have more information about safety modules come out at a later time.
“As we do schedule public presentations, we will list them on our website,” Gavin said.
Gavin also said the official Atlanta Streetcar website has additional safety information for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
“Euros in the process of producing safety videos, those should be completed by mid June. We will also have safety brochures available at that time,” Gavin said. “We are available to do safety presentations for any groups that would like us.”
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday 5 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturdays 8:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sundays 9 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
All information about the proposed hours of operation for the streetcar are provided in the official July 2013 Atlanta Streetcar fact sheet.
Payment:
For the first three months after testing, the streetcar will be offering free rides around the 2.7 mile strip of downtown, according to Gavin. Gavin also said there is a proposed fare structure stating each ride will cost individuals $1 for one ride or $3 for all day.
The Atlanta Streetcar project team is working with MARTA so people can use their Breeze cards to get onto the S70s too.
An individual getting onto the streetcar and then getting off at one of the twelve spots is considered one trip, according to Gavin. It is considered the next trip if the individual gets back onto the vehicle and travels to another stop.
Streetcar Stops:
1. Centennial Olympic Park
2. Luckie at Cone – Luckie St NW & Cone St NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
3. Woodruff Park – 91 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
4. Park Place – Park Pl NE, Atlanta, GeorgiaGA 30303
5. Peachtree Center – 133-179 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
6. Park Place – Park Pl NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
7. Hurt Park – Hurt Park, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
8. Auburn at Piedmont – Piedmont Ave NE & Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30305
9. Sweet Auburn Market – 209 Edgewood Avenue Southeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
10. Dobbs Plaza – Fort Street Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30312
11. Edgewood at Hillard – Edgewood Ave NE & Hilliard St SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30312
12. King Historic District – Auburn Ave NE & Jackson St NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30312
Pop Up Businesses
There will be a grand opening celebration for pop-up retail stores on June 7. The event will be hosted by Central Atlanta Progress and Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (CAP & ADID).
Below are the pop-up businesses around the Atlanta Streetcar 12-stop track:
1. Arbitrary Living: 171 Auburn Ave. NE
2. Bliss in Me: Peachtree Street
3. Britix Dog Bakery: 209 Edgewood Ave
4. The Byrd’s Box: 171 Auburn Ave. NE
5. Civil Bikes: 344 Auburn Ave. NE
6. Criminal Records: 345 Edgewood Ave.
7. Fallen Arrows: 482 Edgewood Ave. SE
8. Fresh.i.Am: 346 Auburn Ave. NE
9. Indie Craft Experience: 209 Edgewood Ave. SE
10. Just Add Honey: 171 Auburn Ave. NE
11. ModernTribe: 171 Auburn Ave. NE
12. Rob Simmons Gallery: 443 Edgewood Ave. SE
13. Sock Fancy: 171 Auburn Ave. NE
Construction Timeline
Information listed below is provided on the streetcar’s official website:
2003
Comprised of some of Atlanta’s governmental, business and community leaders, The Atlanta Streetcar Inc., is officially formed as a non-profit entity.
June 1, 2007
Shirley Franklin, former mayor, announces Peachtree Corridor Partnership. The Partnership is responsible for moving the Streetcar project further than the conceptional phase.
August 28, 2009
The Atlanta Streetcar Facebook page is created
October 15, 2010
There are $47 million federal dollars awarded to The City of Atlanta through TIGER II (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) funding program for the project.
1st Quarter 2012
Organizers obtain a Design-Build Team and utility construction begins for the streetcar.
1st Quarter 2013
The streetcar’s system construction begins.
2nd Quarter 2014
Start of Revenue Service for Phase One begins and project is completed.
Beyond 2014
Possible additional streetcar lines and expanded services will be added as well as linkage to the Atlanta BeltLine with future city and regional rail servicing.
