Atlanta is hardly wanting for nicknames, both good and cringe. But another moniker bubbled up in 2025 that most urbanists seem rather fond of: “Atlamsterdam.”
That’s more than a cutesy portmanteau. It’s a nod to Amsterdam, one of the world’s most bikeable cities. And by all indications, it could hint at where the economic and cultural capital of the Southeastern U.S. is headed—by foot and two wheels.
Atlanta’s potential for true off-street connectivity and commuting alternatives (not to mention bicycle tourism) took a substantial leap forward in 2025. Most notably, back in June, the final piece that formed the longest contiguous stretch of Atlanta Beltline trail to date—almost seven connected miles of the 22-mile mainline loop!—officially opened.
Anecdotally, within a few days of that opening, we met bicyclists on the trail from Greenville, S.C., who’d come down just to experience it, patronizing places like the Lee + White district along the way.
Ramp infrastructure on the southern side of Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
On the north side of town, PATH400 made substantial progress toward being finished (and connected to another trail project in Sandy Springs) last year.
Highlighted by a towering trail bridge in the treetops, the .75-mile segment was considered the Buckhead project’s last major, unfinished piece. It’s not yet a full Ga. Highway 400 commuting alternative between, say, Dunwoody and Midtown, but it’s steadily getting there.
An "exit ramp" beneath the bridge that serves as a connection to Mountain Way Common, a greenspace along Nancy Creek, as shown in fall 2024. PATH400; via Livable Buckhead
Meanwhile, in the northwestern quadrant of the ITP universe, the first Beltline-connected section of the Silver Comet Connector project—the leafy Woodall Rail Trail—came to fruition in 2025, with other pieces not far behind. Once wrapped, the SCC will provide an offramp from the Beltline that leads out to Cobb County—and the Georgia/Alabama state line beyond that.
Other positive multi-use trail news in 2025?
Lest we forget Decatur’s West Howard Avenue Cycle Track and Traffic Calming Improvements project, which is replacing the city's beloved/infamous rainbow planters as we speak.
Work on the Juniper Complete Street Project at 14th Street on June 26. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
The completed Georgia Tech cycle track through Midtown and campus was an obvious win. Ditto for the full buildout of a downtown cycle track and bike lanes that loop in Memorial Drive and parts of Georgia State University’s campus, providing a fresh, safer route to downtown stadiums and Centennial Yards. And despite pushback from some business leaders and Midtown drivers, the 12-block Juniper Street Complete Street was formally opened in November (after nearly 15 years of planning and construction), proving that multi-use-trail hell can indeed freeze over in positive ways.
On a smaller scale, applaudable 2025 projects years in the making included the Ponce-Eastside Trail bridge connection, and of course the people-friendly overhaul of selfie-mecca Jackson Street bridge.
But most of the above could pale in comparison to what’s on tap for 2026, at least in terms of Beltline connectivity, should current construction schedules pan out.
Atlanta Beltline Inc. continues to report the Southside Trail will be at least poured, open, and accessible before 2026 FIFA World Cup matches kick off in June, though ancillary projects along it won’t be finished.
That will finally provide all finished sections from south Buckhead down to Piedmont Park and Ormewood Park a direct route to the aforementioned seven miles (and growing) of Beltline on the flipside of town, creating a massive U-shaped route that weaves through a substantial portion of the city.
Full scope of Beltline trail and park construction progress, as of December. Red arrows indicate Southside Trail sections planned to be opened in the first half of 2026. Courtesy of Atlanta Beltline Inc.
The 1.2-mile Southside Trail section between Boulevard and Glenwood Avenue (Segments 4 and 5) has been delayed numerous times after encountering underground utility conflicts, per the Beltline. The latest construction update bumps the planned opening from sometime this month to “likely February.” The northernmost leg of that trail has yet to be poured.
The remaining Southside Trail—nearly two full miles—is undergoing grading, wall construction, and other work. “Unexpected environmental remediation work has affected the schedule, but the trail will be open and accessible during [World Cup this year],” reads the latest Beltline construction dispatch.
Sounds like an eventful late winter and spring ahead. Fingers crossed.
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