The Beltline's Buckhead cousin now has an official construction start date — and a name that's . . . interesting. Formerly known as the "Buckhead Trail" or "Georgia 400 Trail," the 5.2-mile stretch of soon-to-be renovated trail space along Ga. 400, has been dubbed PATH400 (yes, all caps). Once complete, the trail will connect Loridans Drive (just shy of the 400 tolls) all the way to Morosgo Drive (near 400's split from 85). Work on the first phase between Lenox and Old Ivy roads is slated to begin in January 2014. The trail's logo — basically a large interlocking "400" with the word "PATH" next to it — and signs were also revealed recently. Denise Starling, Livable Buckhead executive director, has some rather lofty goals for the project. "Ga. 400 has been described as 'the scar that will never heal' because of the way that it divided Buckhead," she said. "Through the PATH400 project we're overcoming a lot of the negative feelings that people have had ever since Ga. 400 was built."
PATH400 will do a number of things, including connect to the Beltline and South Fork Conservancy trails. As it winds down Ga. 400, almost half of it will consist of a 12-foot concrete path flanked by both the highway and forest; the trail will also wrap itself through Tower Place and all of its shopping, restaurants and other transportation options.
Overall, the process from feasibility study to groundbreaking could take less than three years, which is, dare we say, quite impressive — especially when it's believed to be part of the largest greenspace expansion under way in any U.S. city (when combined with the Beltline). Thus far, the typical "criminals will use this trail to attack us and steal our televisions" naysayers have been few and far between.
Do you share our excitement for the Buckhead Trail, er, PATH400?
— By Curbed Atlanta contributor Tyler Estep
· Georgia 400 Trail coverage [Curbed Atlanta]
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