The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has secured a significant boost in funding through a $25 million grant towards building a South DeKalb Transit Hub. The grant, part of the Biden Administration's efforts to upgrade transit infrastructure, represents nearly 70% of the project's necessary investment which totals roughly $37.5 million, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta and 11Alive News. MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood expressed his gratitude, noting, "This grant covers almost 70% of the funding for this project and supports the improvement of bus facilities and amenities and workforce development in DeKalb," Greenwood told FOX 5 Atlanta.
Strategically located adjacent to the Gallery at South DeKalb on Candler Road, the planned 2500-square-foot hub aims to serve four of the area’s high-ridership bus routes: Routes 15, 186, 74, and 9. With a park-and-ride setup, it promises to enhance safety, and offer a covered space for catching and transferring buses. Innovative features include real-time service information, and SMART restrooms equipped with modern technology aimed at maintaining cleanliness and security. According to 11Alive News, Senator Jon Ossoff highlighted the positive impact the hub will have on the working class in DeKalb County by providing essential connectivity.
The approval of this grant not only signifies an investment in DeKalb's transportation network, but it also anchors the community's broader commitment to transit equity and environmental responsibility. Championed by local and federal government representatives alike, the project aspires to rejuvenate the area, curtailing vehicle-dependency, and therefore, aiming to reduce traffic-related injuries as well as harmful emissions. "I am proud to support this $25 million federal investment in safety and accessibility for MARTA riders in South DeKalb," Congresswoman Nikema Williams said in a statement, according to 11Alive News.
The South DeKalb Transit Hub is a part of DeKalb County's strategic vision as outlined in their Transit Master Plan and serves as a testament to the considerable efforts of both local and federal bodies. Envisioned to open in 2024, 2026, this hub stands to symbolize a meshing of necessity and foresight, a node in a larger network where opportunity and access are the true cargoes borne along these transit lines.
