As summer temps prepare to start dipping (at last), a uniquely elevated section of the Atlanta Beltline’s 22-mile loop is set to rise up and span active railroad tracks due west of Midtown. 

Just north of Huff Road in Blandtown, the Beltline’s Northwest Trail—Segment 4B has made noticeable progress in recent months, including poured trail and new column structures that will take the multi-use pathway over CSX railroad lines to the edge of a large city water reservoir. 

Beltline officials expect a short section of Segment 4B—stretching about a block east from English Street, near the growing Empire Longreen project—will officially open next month. 

In November, installation of steel beams to construct the trail over active rail lines is expected to begin, according to Atlanta Beltline Inc.’s most recent construction update. 

As seen in August, column structures for the elevated section of Northwest Trail—Segment 4B that will extend over active rail. Atlanta Beltline Inc.

Northwest Trail—Segment 4B and other construction progress around the 22-mile loop today. Atlanta Beltline Inc.

Elsewhere, work on Northwest Trail—Segment 4B is clearly underway just west of Howell Mill Road as well. 

Once Segment 4B is finished, it will connect the existing Northwest Trail around to the ongoing Howell Mill Road Complete Street project, allowing for protected, alternate-transportation access to The Interlock, Star Metals District, and other area attractions. 

Combined, both sections of Northwest Trail—Segment 4 will stretch for .9 miles, heading east and linking English Street to Howell Mill Road before ending at the Segment 3 section that opened last summer beside Monday Night Brewery’s adaptive-reuse The Grove project.

Here's a visual explainer: 

Atlanta Beltline Inc.

Beltline officials say they split Segment 4 into two sections to “provide opportunities for a smaller construction firm” to bid on the shorter piece. 

That work is expected to go out for bid in early 2027, and the Beltline’s forecast calls for finishing all of Segment 4 by next summer. 

Partners on the Northwest Trail—Segment 4 project include the PATH Foundation and Pond & Company, an engineering, architecture, and planning firm. 

Looking east, with Buckhead in the distance, how Northwest Trail—Segment 4B will swoop around Atlanta City Waterworks No. 1 and link with Howell Mill Road's under-construction Complete Street.Atlanta Beltline Inc.; alternations, UA

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