South DeKalb County is expected to experience significant growth along the I-20 corridor, and requires transportation options that will keep pace with future demand. The MARTA South DeKalb Transit Initiative is a comprehensive effort to address current and anticipated needs for high quality, dependable transit options, creating reliable transportation connections between where people live, work, and play.

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The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), in conjunction with DeKalb County and the City of Atlanta, and in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), initiated the MARTA South DeKalb Transit Initiative Study to identify transportation and environmental impacts associated with the development of high-capacity transit service in south DeKalb County. The project is intended to improve mobility and accessibility to jobs and housing by providing a high-capacity transit alternative in south DeKalb County. In addition, the project will provide opportunities for economic development and support revitalization efforts as planning partners in the corridor including the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County prepare for anticipated future growth.

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South DeKalb roadways have seen increasingly more traffic, slower travel times, and more crashes at major intersections, which makes for more unpredictable trips. There are not enough bike and pedestrian facilities between residential and commercial centers for people to walk and bike to their destinations. MARTA is exploring a full range of high-capacity transit (bus rapid transit, light rail transit, heavy rail transit) alternatives to serve the current and future mobility needs of South DeKalb.

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Transportation is key to connecting area residents to jobs and for the area's economic development. By 2050, population and employment in our study area are projected to increase by 33% and 25%, respectively. The study area includes portions of the Cities of Atlanta, Stonecrest, Lithonia, Decatur, and Avondale.  The study area is bound by Redan Road to the north, Downtown Atlanta near MARTA Five Points Station to the west, Rockdale County to the east, and SR 155/SR 212 to the south.

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Areas of significant growth can be found along Panola Road between Covington Highway and I-20, at the intersection of Glenwood Road and Candler Road, and Stonecrest Mall area. The area is attractive due to its affordable home prices, but because the area is mostly residential, only 7% of residents work in the area. The rest commute to nearby job centers, primarily Midtown and Downtown. The Mall at Stonecrest is the largest commercial area in our study area outside of Downtown Atlanta and presents opportunities for redevelopment and employment. The area has pockets of commercial use around interstate interchanges.