ATLANTA — The Atlanta Regional Commission, Clayton County and the cities of College Park, East Point, and Hapeville have received an additional $14.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to further develop the Flint River Gateway Trails, a planned 31-mile trail network in South Metro Atlanta.
The Flint River Gateway Trails network will connect the Atlanta BeltLine in Southwest Atlanta to Clayton County, passing through the “Tri-Cities” area of College Park, East Point, and Hapeville, which includes the headwaters of the Flint River.
The $14.9 million in federal funds augments a $50 million grant the U.S. DOT awarded to ARC and the four communities in March, bringing the total federal investment to $64.9 million. The federal funds will be used for:
- Scoping and engineering to prepare 16 miles of multi-use trail for construction, in eight segments.
- Construction of 3.2 miles of multi-use trails, in four sections.
- Exploring connectivity of the Flint River Trails network with other trails being discussed in the South Metro area, potentially creating an even larger trails network, with the Flint River as major focal point.
- Providing technical assistance to help local governments manage and oversee the planning and construction process.
- Facilitating ongoing community engagement.
- Incorporating “green construction” elements to manage stormwater runoff and flooding.
“The Flint River Gateway Trails network is a game-changer that will boost quality of life and economic opportunities for South Metro Atlanta communities,” said ARC Chair Andre Dickens, who also serves as Mayor of the City of Atlanta. “The trails network also fills a major gap in our regional trails vision by connecting the Atlanta BeltLine to the Tri-Cities area and through Clayton County.”