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How the Beltline's Westside Trail Looks Right Now

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16 months after construction launched, the trail is a gloriously muddy mess

By Josh Green
Photography by Jonathan Phillips
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Photos: Jonathan Phillips, Curbed Atlanta

The Beltline's Eastside Trail made news recently when officials confirmed to Curbed that construction to extend the popular recreational destination is expected to begin in early spring in Reynoldstown. Now, with spring temps upon us and trees blossoming, it seemed an opportune time to swing across town to the Westside Trail, to see where things stand after 16 months of construction. It's muddy. And extremely raw. But it's definitely progressing, and it looks a whole lot like its eastside counterpart circa 2011.

Mud prevented a full tour of the Westside Trail's three miles, but hopefully it's not hindering progress too much. Officials said late last year this highly anticipated Beltline leg is on track for a 2017 opening. It will connect four parks and include 14 access points and a new bridge over Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Unlike the Eastside Trail, the Westside component is scheduled to debut with all lighting, security cameras, and mile-markers.

Construction continues along the Beltline's Westside Trail near Gordon White Park in the West End.
Construction continues along the Beltline's Westside Trail near Gordon White Park in the West End. For fans of progress, concrete trucks are probably a good sign.
Curbed
Street art adorns buildings at a future entry point along White Street.
Street art adorns buildings at a future entry point along White Street.
Just a muddy path at the moment, but the functionality should be much better sometime next year.
Just a muddy path at the moment, but the functionality should be much better sometime next year.
Razor wire runs along a section of the under-construction Westside Trail.
Razor wire runs along a section of the under-construction Westside Trail.
Approaching Lawton Street. White shoes not advised.
Approaching Lawton Street. White shoes not advised.
The mud bog beneath Lawton Street.
The mud bog beneath Lawton Street.
A ramp that will lead from Lawton Street to the Beltline is just a bunch of gravel at the moment.
A ramp that will lead from Lawton Street to the Beltline is just a bunch of gravel at the moment.
The Westside Trail is under construction. Right now it's a mud pit but eventually it will connect Gordon White Park to Adair Park using the old railroad corridor.
Westside Trail construction. Right now it's a mud pit but eventually it will connect Gordon White Park to Adair Park using the old railroad corridor.
The current Westside Trail runs along White Street in the West End.
The current Westside Trail runs along White Street in the West End.
A Beltline arboretum sign along White Street
A Beltline arboretum sign along White Street.

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