Local leaders from the South Metro area have committed to expanding bicycle and pedestrian trails following the inaugural meeting of the South Metro Trails Leadership Alliance. The gathering, held on October 29 and organized by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), brought together about 15 mayors and county commission chairs to discuss strategies for improving bike-ped infrastructure.
Alieka Anderson-Henry, Chair of the Clayton County Commission, emphasized collaboration among stakeholders. “We can no longer continue to work in silos. We must work together,” she said. “I can’t do this by myself. You can’t do this by yourself. We are stronger together.”
The alliance aims to support ARC’s regional bike-ped planning efforts in South Metro communities by working with local governments, ARC, and the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Several planning initiatives were outlined during the meeting:
– The Flint River Gateway Trails Master Plan will focus on a corridor along the Flint River, connecting East Point, College Park, Hapeville, and Clayton, Fayette, and Spalding counties. The plan includes strategies to address displacement.
– The South Metro Trail & Bicycle Facility Network Plan will develop a regional trail blueprint for six counties—South Fulton, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton, Henry, and Spalding—and consider alignments along three major rivers: Chattahoochee (west), South River (east), and Flint (center).
– A broader Regional Trail & Bicycle Facility Network Plan is also underway for all 19 counties within the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
On the construction front:
– Lee Street in Atlanta has received funding but progress has stalled.
– Main Street in East Point is being reviewed for potential funding through ARC’s regional Transportation Improvement Program.
– Tara Boulevard in Clayton County is set for pedestrian improvements over an 11.5-mile stretch; officials are seeking ways to expand these upgrades into wider multi-use trails.
These efforts reflect a growing consensus among local officials that coordinated action is needed to improve connectivity and mobility across South Metro communities.
