The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) board adopted an amended locally preferred alternative (LPA) for Rapid Southlake to include a direct connection to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the state’s largest employer and the world’s busiest airport.

MARTA’s BRT

MARTA Rapid is the authority’s bus rapid transit system (BRT), the first in the region, and is characterized by high-capacity buses running in dedicated right-of-way and mixed traffic lanes on existing roads.

The approximately 15-mile Rapid Southlake route will connect to Southlake Mall, the Shops of Riverdale, Southern Regional Medical Center, and Airport Station and has rail-like stations that will feature off board fare payment, seating, and digital signage.

“We are thrilled by the progress of Rapid Southlake, a dynamic project that will provide generational impacts for those living, working, or traveling in Clayton County,” said MARTA GM/CEO Collie Greenwood. “Additionally, we see this direct connection to the airport’s Domestic Terminal as an opportunity to provide improved access to thousands of airport-related jobs and strengthen the project’s federal funding competitiveness.” 

With the adoption of this amended LPA, the project now advances to the 30% design phase and submission of updated environmental studies. MARTA will submit an application for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investments Grants (CIG) Small Starts funding this summer.