The Dirt on PATH400

Posted August 9, 2023

Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead, gives us the dirt on PATH400 progress.

It’s that time again – another update from me on PATH400’s progress and, WOWZERS, do I have some great things to share with you… You can probably feel my excitement oozing off this page!

Money, Money, Money

First, you probably read about it in the news that the Atlanta Beltline was awarded the largest grant in their entire history, $25 Million! I’m sharing this because it DIRECTLY benefits PATH400 by providing the funding for the connection between the Beltline and the PATH400, Peachtree Creek Greenway, and Southfork Conservancy trails right down in Lindbergh. I call this the angel hair junction of the region’s trail network (get it right?), so it is a really big deal!

Special thanks to Senator Ossoff, Representative Nikema Williams, Assistant Secretary of Transportation Michael Cose, and all of our state, regional, and City of Atlanta folks who made this happen. And, of course, a special thanks to the Atlanta Beltline team, especially the unsung heroes who did all of the heavy lifting – Shaun and Lena, HUZZAH!

PATH Updates

Construction

Next, I am super excited to share that our construction teams are really rocking now! Almost all of the bridge bents are underway and nearing completion. Those babies are really tall – like 60 feet in the air! Y’all think GDOT will allow us to do some bungee jumping from them? HA! Here’s my latest picture of them looking like the “veggie-asaurouses” from Jurassic Park peeping their heads up out of the trees.

We also have several of the walls going into place. It’s incredibly cool to see the trail starting to take shape under the highway bridge where it will split into two lines.

Connecting to Sandy Springs

While the construction is the fun part that I like to talk about, there is a lot of bureaucratic “stuff” happening in the background as well. It ain’t sexy, but it’s the only way to get to the fun parts. The City of Atlanta’s Department of Transportation is working on all of the paperwork and legislation necessary to begin the next section, which will connect us up to Sandy Springs.

This process takes some time to work through, but we are on track to advertise the section from Loridans Drive to just below the City limits in 3rd quarter of this year. That means, if all goes to plan, we will be getting underway with our last big piece in early 2024!

Miami Circle

One of the best parts of PATH400 is finally going to look like it! The top of Miami Circle is going to become a gateway, connecting the public art on PATH400 with the fine art featured in the southeast’s largest collection of galleries. We will be rebuilding the ramp and releasing a call to artists to develop an art component along with it!

Here’s a conceptual drawing to give you an idea of where we are headed.

More Fun Insights & Events

And… ACTION!

You all know that I am a total construction nerd at this point. I had the opportunity to watch one of the coolest parts yet, the crews blowing in the shotcrete. And, since I am torturing you by hiding all of our progress behind fences to keep you safe, I took a video for you.

Here ya go. Make sure to turn on the sound – it is really weird!

Pro Tip:

Ever wondered how to make sure everything doesn’t fall when you dig a bunch of dirt out of the side of a hill? There are these things called soil nails that look like giant screws (why aren’t they called soil screws then??) that get driven into the slope. They are literally 15-feet long and tie into the retaining wall to make it super strong. So now you know… another one for your cocktail party repertoire!

Hard Hat Tours

Now that there is some cool stuff to see, it’s time to take you on a construction tour to get your own first-hand sneak peek! Remember, this is an active construction site, so the tour will require you to wear closed-toe shoes (preferably boots), long pants, and be physically able to do some climbing.

The first tour will be held on August 25th at 10 a.m. and limited to 25 people. Claim your spot now.

Party on the PATH Returns on Oct. 1st

Join us to celebrate PATH400 with ART, LIVE MUSIC, TAPAS, DRINKS and DANCING. Get your early bird tickets while they last. Use promo code DIRT5 for $5 off your tickets. Learn more and purchase tickets here!

Thank you to all of the members of the Party on the PATH Host Committee. Their generous contribution of time and energy helps support the Buckhead community and makes events like these possible.

Katie Gable