Atlanta, Georgia/North Line Extension

North Springs (North Line Extension)

(November 1999)

(click here for map)

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is constructing a 1.9-mile, two-station extension of the North Line from just north of the Dunwoody Station to North Springs. The extension will connect with the North Line segment from Buckhead to Dunwoody, which opened in June 1996. This North Line extension will serve the rapidly growing area north of Atlanta, including Perimeter Center and north Fulton County. The total estimated cost for this extension as reflected in the original FFGA was $381.3 million and included the purchase of 28 rail vehicles. The project is now estimated to cost $463.18 million due to changed conditions and associated scope enhancements to the project, including an additional 28 rail cars. Daily ridership on the rail extension in the year 2005 is estimated at 33,000 riders, including 11,000 new riders.

In December 1994, MARTA and FTA entered into a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) in the amount of $305.01 million in Section 5309 New Start funds for the extension from Dunwoody through North Springs. TEA-21 Section 3030(a)(3) authorized the Atlanta North Line Extension for final design and construction. Through FY 2000, a total of $294.16 million in Section 5309 New Start funds has been provided to this project ($275.79 million in Congressional appropriations and $18.37 million in prior year deobligated funds).

Section 3030 (d) (2) of TEA-21 further authorized FTA funding for project scope changes, including the purchase of the 28 additional rapid rail cars from amounts authorized by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991. The expanded scope requirements are due to the need to address expected increases in estimated service levels and station parking enhancements as well as rights of way impacts stemming from the proposed widening of the adjacent GA 400 limited access highway. Consistent with this TEA-21 provision, an amendment to the existing FFGA incorporates the scope enhancements and results in a total Federal Section 5309 commitment to the North Line extension of $370.54 million. The adjusted local share is now $92.64 million.