If passed, two items on the ballot in today’s election would provide significant funding for the Beltline as well as other transportation projects in Atlanta.

Atlanta Loop will provide live updates of the referenda results, so check back tonight after the polls close.

At several recent community events, Atlanta BeltLine Inc. staff members have said projects such as the Southside Trail could move ahead more quickly if voters approve the 0.4 percent sales tax increase.

Known as a special purpose local option sales tax for transportation – or T-SPLOST, it would generate approximately $300 million over a five-year period, according to the city’s website.
Some of the projects that the T-SPLOST would pay for include:

• $66 million for the Atlanta BeltLine, which will allow the BeltLine to purchase all the remaining right of way to close the 22-mile loop;
• $75 million for 15 complete streets projects;
• $3 million for Phase 2 of the Atlanta Bike Share program;
• $69 million for pedestrian improvements in sidewalks; and
• $40 million for traffic signal optimization.

The second measure, a 0.5 percent sales tax, would fund MARTA transit expansion and enhancements in the city. The tax will generate an estimated $2.5 billion over 40 years that would be spent on high-capacity rail improvements, new infill rail stations, new buses, and other services.

These two maps show the proposed T-SPLOST and MARTA projects. To see the T-SPLOST map, click here. For the MARTA projects, click here.