***PRESS RELEASE ***

CONTACT: Matthew Rao
(404) 354-5280
chair@beltlinerailnow.org
Beltlinerailnow.com 

 City Council Resolution on Beltline Rail Passes Unanimously 

 BRN Applauds Council Member Kelsea Bond for Leadership on Beltline Rail

Atlanta, GA —Press Release
For Immediate Release
September 21, 2026 

ATLANTA, GA – Today, in a historic vote, the Atlanta City Council has affirmed all 22 miles of Beltline Rail and has called for accountability and action from Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta Beltline, Inc., and MARTA. 

Beltline Rail Now congratulates City Council Member Kelsea Bond (D2) for upholding a key campaign promise to push forward the construction of all 22 miles of Beltline Rail. We also commend their co-sponsors and fellow council members who voted 14-0 to pass the resolution. CM Thomas Worthy (D7), who added his name as a co-sponsor last week, was not able to vote as the meeting ran much longer than anticipated. Transportation Chair CM Alex Wan (D6) read remarks from Worthy that indicated he would have voted in favor today. 

At the press conference before the council meeting, resolution author CM Kelsea Bond (D2) noted the significance of the pending vote. “The choice is ours ... do we invest in the future or continue to kick the can down the road?” 

BRN Board Member Cristy Lenz spoke after Bond and elaborated on the significance of Beltline rail to the entire Atlanta community. 

“We are here today to celebrate that we are on the cusp of a new day for all 22 miles of Beltline Rail. A move that will forever transform Atlanta into a city of the future where everyone can get where they need to go regardless of age, income, geography, or ability” Lenz said. 

BRN calls for the immediate convening of a panel to utilize the four months before the deadline to execute the key provisions of the resolution and develop a plan to implement and pay for all 22 miles of Beltline Rail.

“Today we have an opening, an important reaffirmation of Beltline rail, the most significant citywide project Atlanta has ever attempted. We must use the next four months to work together to achieve a plan that works for all the parties involved in these upcoming discussions and results in January not in more studies and renderings but in a starting shot that gets us out of the gate on the way to an accelerated delivery of all 22 miles of Beltline rail.” - BRN Chair Matthew Rao

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