The City of Brookhaven has scored $13.5 million in federal funding that could go a long way in helping create a regional web of connected, multi-use trails across Atlanta and neighboring cities. 

According to Brookhaven officials, the Atlanta Regional Commission voted today to award the “major investment” to complete Phase II of the city’s “signature infrastructure project,” the Peachtree Creek Greenway, a cause that grassroots nonprofit and neighborhood groups have been advocating for. 

Brookhaven leaders call the ARC’s vote a key move in advancing mobility, connectivity, and economic development along the Buford Highway corridor. They consider the Georgia Department of Transportation a partner in the project. 

The scope of phase II calls for extending the current Peachtree Creek Greenway from North Druid Hills Road down to Atlanta city limits.

From there, the greenway would link to PATH400, the Atlanta Beltline’s Northeast Trail, and South Fork Conservancy Trails—so basically, the Spaghetti Junction of bicycle and pedestrian multi-use pathways in Atlanta. 

Planned scope and connectivity of Peachtree Creek Greenway's second phase (in blue). City of Brookhaven

Phase two will also provide last-mile connectivity to MARTA’s Buford Highway bus line and Lindbergh station. Other functions will include pedestrian access to housing, retail, and job centers at Children’s Healthcare, Emory Executive Park, and the proposed $600-million Northbend project set to replace Corporate Square along the greenway’s first phase.   

“This is a transformative moment for Brookhaven,” Mayor John Park said in today’s announcement. “The [greenway] has always been about creating connections between our neighborhoods, our businesses, and our region. With this funding secured, we are turning that vision into reality and taking the next major step toward a more connected and accessible city.”

Lighting and the centerpiece bridge along Peachtree Creek Greenway's initial phase today. City of Brookhaven

The first completed section of the Peachtree Creek Greenway, as seen in summer 2020. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Plans call for the greenway to span 14 miles eventually, providing a scenic and functional off-street link from Atlanta up to Chamblee and Doraville.

Today, the only finished section extends 1.1 miles from North Druid Hills Road to Briarwood Road, with no shortage of nature and creek views—and one large, sweeping bridge—in between. Engineered and built by the PATH Foundation, that “model mile” initial phase opened in December 2019. 

According to Sen. Jon Ossoff’s office, the $13.5 million in federal funding was secured through the bipartisan infrastructure law, a $1.2-trillion initiative to modernize U.S. infrastructure, improve transportation, clean energy systems, utilities, and create jobs signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021. 

The Phase II funding news follows the recent approval of a $150-million private redevelopment along North Druid Hills Road. That project, according to Brookhaven officials, will include $8 million in investments for greenway infrastructure improvements and direct connections to the trail. 

Current map of the multimodal trail route showing finished and future sections. Peachtree Creek Greenway Inc.

The Phase II funding will allow the city to move into its next phase of implementation, but no timeline for construction was specified in this afternoon’s announcement. 

Greenway project leaders reported in March the Phase II project was nearing the completion of required right-of-way acquisition, as coordination for future trail connections with PATH Foundation and the City of Atlanta continues. 

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