Clifton Corridor
| Company type | Planned transit route |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia , United States |
Area served | Buckhead, Emory University, Decatur, Atlanta metropolitan area |
| Products | Transit service (planned) |
| Parent | Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) |
The Clifton Corridor represents a planned transit route serving the vicinity of Atlanta, Georgia, designed to link the neighborhoods of Buckhead, the campus of Emory University, and the city of Decatur.
Proposed route
The alignment begins at:
- Lindbergh Center located in southern Buckhead
- Proceeding eastward along the current CSX railroad line
- Including stops near the CDC, Emory University, and the Veterans Administration campus
- A possible extension reaching northern Decatur through Suburban Plaza on N. Decatur Road
- Ending at the Avondale MARTA station
In 2012, MARTA designated light rail as the favored transit mode. Emory University has expressed strong backing for rapid transit development within this corridor.
History
The concept of rail transit in the Clifton Corridor dates back to 1961 as part of a broader regional transportation plan.
Following assessments of bus, light rail, and heavy rail alternatives in March 2012, MARTA endorsed light rail as the optimal choice. However, a 2012 public vote rejected a 1-cent sales tax (SPLOST) intended to raise $700 million for rapid transit projects in this corridor.
By mid-2018, MARTA identified Alternative 6 as the preferred path, divided into two construction phases. The initial phase, extending from Lindbergh to North Decatur/Clairmont, was anticipated to commence in 2022 with completion targeted for 2026. Projected expenses for this first segment ranged between $900 million and $1.3 billion, while full implementation costs were estimated between $1.8 billion and $2.1 billion.
As of January 2022, no funds had been designated for construction by MARTA, restricting eligibility for Federal Transit Administration matching grants. By February 2023, MARTA abandoned plans for light rail and redirected efforts toward developing a bus rapid transit system along the corridor.
Stations
The proposed stations by MARTA include:
- Lindbergh Center
- Cheshire Bridge Road (adjacent to Faulkner Road and Morningside Nature Preserve)
- Sage Hill / Briarcliff (near Briarcliff Road, Johnson Road, and Zonolite Road)
- CDC/Emory Conference Center
- Emory-Rollins
- Andrews Circle
- North Decatur / Clairmont
- Suburban Plaza
- DeKalb Medical Center
- Irwin Way
- Your Dekalb Farmers Market
- Avondale MARTA station