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MARTA Rapid Southlake

Project Overview and Background

MARTA Rapid Southlake – Clayton County’s first-ever high-capacity bus rapid transit (BRT) service – will transform how residents travel to jobs, services, and other points of interest across Clayton County all while providing key regional connections to the Atlanta metro area.

Rapid Southlake features a direct connection to the Atlanta Airport – the state’s largest employment site and world’s busiest airport. The route will run approximately 13.6 miles and provide service to key points of interest including Shops of Riverdale, Southlake Mall, and the Southern Regional Medical Center. This bus rapid transit service will utilize dedicated right-of way and mixed traffic lanes.

In fall 2024:

  • The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has determined a streamlined categorical exclusion environmental clearance process for Rapid Southlake. This process reduces paperwork and saves time and money.
  • MARTA has submitted the project to FTA to attain a federal funding rating under the Capital Investments Grant Small Starts program.

MARTA will transition Rapid Southlake to the Final Design phase of the transit project development process in early 2025. This phase entails the completion of project engineering, construction plans, and identification of right-of-way requirements.

Rendering of potential center-running station design for MARTA Rapid Southlake

Purpose and Need

The MARTA Rapid Southlake system is being designed to:

  • Provide greater access to jobs;
  • Provide additional reliable and frequent transit services that connect destinations within Clayton County and the Atlanta metro region;
  • Address the growing local demand for transit services in Clayton County; and
  • Support land use and economic development plans.

Rapid Southlake LPA

Overview Map

Click the map to view larger version.

Project Timeline

2020
– MARTA began the planning process for MARTA Rapid Southlake

2021
– MARTA Board adopted the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the MARTA Rapid Southlake

2022
MARTA Rapid Southlake entered into FTA Project Development

2023
– MARTA conducted the Airport Connection Feasibility Study which explored expanding access to jobs and adding a multimodal connection to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

2024
Rapid Southlake airport terminus was presented to the public, stakeholders and the MARTA Board

– MARTA’s Board of Directors updated the Rapid Southlake LPA alignment to include a direct connection to the airport

– Conducted essential archaeological, ecological and historical surveys to identify potential impacts 

Submitted National Environmental Policy Checklist to the Federal Transit Administration so that FTA can determine a Class of Action for environmental documentation.  

Submitted application to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Small Starts grant program to acquire funding that will cover a portion of the project’s capital costs. 

2030
Proposed revenue service date

Mailing List

Rapid Southlake Open House

March 28, 2024

6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Meeting Resources:

Display Boards Collection of display boards presented during the open house (Adobe PDF,  3.0MB)

Open House Video