Connecting the Comet Hits a Snag August 2023, Issue #110 Connecting Communities Across Georgia with 320 Miles of Trails PATH Foundation A Non-Profit Organization Dedicated to Planning and Building Greenway Trails
Connecting the Comet Hits a Snag
All those involved thought PATH, GDOT, and Cobb County would have connected the Silver Comet Trail to Atlanta by now. It was five years ago when CSX and GDOT first negotiated the agreement that would allow for extension of the trail from Mavell Road to the Plant Atkinson Road crossing (see map). PATH even took bids from contractors in 2020 when it appeared clearance to build the trail was eminent.
Negotiations between GDOT and CSX continue at press time. PATH personnel are not party to the negotiations but we are being kept aware of any progress. In February, the advocacy group, Connect the Comet, was rejuvenated to help bring attention to the issue and hopefully encourage clearance from GDOT and CSX to construct the trail. If you have interest in joining the group you can visit their website at connectthecomet.org.
Connect the Comet organizer, Roberta Cook, can’t believe CSX and GDOT are still negotiating an agreement to extend the Comet to Plant Atkinson Road. “I think it’s time for the paper
shuffling to stop and the construction to start,” Roberta said.
In anticipation of building the trail at Plant Atkinson Road and knowing CSX is not abandoning the line from Plant Atkinson Road to Collier Road, PATH and Connect the Comet lobbied the Cobb County Commissioners for funding to construct a trail from Plant Atkinson to the Chattahoochee River along Atlanta Road. This will connect the Comet to the Whetstone Creek Trail in Atlanta. Cobb County has begun construction on this segment.
The PATH team realizes the importance of connecting the Silver Comet to Atlanta. We have crews standing by and your donations in hand to build this extension to the Comet when GDOT and CSX agree to grant us clearance. l
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Cover Photo: Future extension of the Silver Comet Trail under South Cobb Drive.
Future Silver Comet Connector at Old Atlanta Station.
In 1993, the founders of PATH and the city of Atlanta saw the potential for a multimodal corridor along the developing Georgia 400 right-of-way. Together, we proposed the addition of a trail alongside the highway and MARTA tracks. We were a couple of years late with the idea since the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) had previously purchased the land needed for the highway and MARTA tracks and weren’t in the mood to go back to adjacent property owners for additional right-ofway for a trail.
PATH400 Progress
In 2013, Denise Starling, Director of Livable Buckhead, and Carlos Perez of Perez Planning and Design, came to PATH with their vision of developing PATH400 through Buckhead. They had already held public meetings, had preliminary talks with GDOT about installing the trail on GDOT property outside of the Georgia 400 soundwall, and had businessmen at the Buckhead Community Improvement District interested in helping with the trail. We immediately embraced the idea and made the trail the centerpiece of our 2016 Capital Campaign.
Today, PATH400 is completed from Sydney Marcus Boulevard toward Lenox Square and from The Buckhead Loop to Wieuca Road. Construction is underway between Wieuca Road to Loridans Drive. GDOT, PATH and the City of Sandy Springs are also constructing the trail from Johnson Ferry Road through the new I-285 interchange to PeachtreeDunwoody Road. Future segments of PATH400 will continue along PeachtreeDunwoody Road to Hammond Drive and fill the gap between Loridans Drive and Johnson Ferry Road. l
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Construction under GA400 between Wieuca Road and Loridans Drive.
Arabia Mountain PATH
The AMP is curvy and hilly; much different than the Comet but just as scenic.
Looking for a destination trail close to the city? Looking for an alternative to the Silver Comet? Head east on I-20 to the Arabia Mountain PATH (AMP), a labyrinth of trails that wind through the 400 million year old granite outcroppings, lakes, and rushing streams of the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area. The AMP is comprised of 19+ miles of trail that are built to the same specifications as the Silver Comet and other PATH trails.
This venue is so much more than a trail. There are boardwalk bridges across lakes, two big bridges crossing the South River, fields of wildflowers, and wildlife you won’t encounter in the city. It’s curvy and hilly; much different than the Comet but just as scenic.
The AMP is fifteen minutes east of I-285. There are multiple trailheads with easy access to the trail. You can also access the AMP from SR 155 at Panola Mountain Park. Check out the PATH website or arabiaalliance.org for more information. l
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520-foot bridge
Alexander Lake PATH trail through historic barn at the Alexander estate
August 2023 | 5 SOUTH G O D DAR D R D R OCK L AND R D K L O N D I K E R D KLOND K E R D BROWNS MILL RD - 212 BROWNSMILL RD212 UNION CHURCH RD E FA RV EW RD SW MALLPKWY EVANSMILLRD I-20 R R EVANS MILL RD WOODROW DR MALL PKWY COVINGTONHWY TURNERHILLRD CONYERSST MAINST EVANSMILL RD SNAPFINGER RDGA155 N ROCKLAND RD KLONDIKE R D NO R T H G OD D A R D R D FLAT BRIDGE RD S W A L E XA NDERSLAKERDSW SNAPF IN GER RD –GA 155 N DANIELS BRIDGE RD L IT H O N I A Sto n e c r e s t M all M L K , J r High School weekends only A W A R E Dav ids on -Ar abia Nat ure Center to Atla nta Pano la Nat ure Center S ou t h Ro c kdale To Monastery of the Holy Spirit Communi t y Par k Stone cre s t Librar y 2 0 Historic Distric t of Lithonia Railroad Cut Vaughters’ Farm Arabia Mountain & Quarr y Remains Farming Terraces Horace King Commemorative Covered Bridge Evans Mill Ruins Historic Distric t of Klondike Pole Bridge Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Flat Rock Communit y Lyon Farm South River Bridge Alexander Barn The Parker House Panola Mountain Overlook Serpentine Bridge DeCastro Retreat Wesley Providence 0 1/2 1 mile sca le a pp roxi ma te N K E Y R ailro ad St ate - or Count y- ow ne d L and Ro ck Ou tc ropping Point of Intere s t Par k ing Nat ure Center (include s bike and vehicle p ar k ing, picnic areas) Re s t ro oms
UPDATES
CONSTRUCTION
Greene County Firefly – The Firefly Trail through Greene County is scheduled to be completed this fall.
Eastside Trolley Trail – The Eastside Trolley Trail between Coan Park and Moreland Avenue will be completed this summer.
Sandy Springs Springway – Weather has caused construction delays along the Morgan Falls to Roswell Road segment. Completion will likely be the winter of 2024.
Emory PATH – PATH crews are currently wrapping up the short connection along Eagle Row between Clifton Road and Means Drive.
PLANNING + DESIGN
Georgia Hi-Lo Trail – Planning activity continues on the ambitious effort to regionally connect Sparta to Savannah.
Northwest BeltLine – PATH and Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. have agreed to build the Northwest BeltLine in five phases. The first phase to be under construction this fall will
begin at Huff Road and Marietta Boulevard connecting through Blandtown to English Street and Culpepper Street. Permits are being finalized at press time.
PATH Trail Hub – PATH has executed a contract to improve the Luckie Street/Baker Street intersection at the corner between the Georgia Aquarium and our PATH Hub at Centennial Olympic Park. All work will be completed this fall.
Panola Mountain Greenway – Henry County is out to bid to extend the greenway to Austin Road Elementary School.
Silver Comet Connector/Woodall Trail –
A section of PATH’s regional connection of the Silver Comet to downtown Atlanta is scheduled to be under construction in September. It will connect the NW BeltLine to The Works at Chattahoochee Avenue.
Silver Comet Connector/MacArthur Trail –PATH is planning and designing an extension from the Silver Comet Connector from the Whetstone Trail to Chattahoochee Avenue near the Scofflaw Brewery. l
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Greene County Firefly Eastside Trolley Trail
Sandy Springs Springway
PROJECT
Emory PATH
edwin@pathfoundation.org
Missed Opportunities (So far)
During the ten years of building the Silver Comet Trail, most all of my vacations involved riding established trails in other states to assess design details and the amenities along the trail that we could incorporate into the Comet. While planning these trips, I would scour the internet for lodging, restaurants, and supplies near the chosen trail. My trip prep included calling my riding buddies for insider information on the condition of the trail and their opinion regarding accommodations and restaurants I was considering. I wanted to visit the best every trail had to offer so I could help make the Silver Comet the ultimate trail experience for everyone who would use it.
On these reconnaissance trips, I stayed in adorable B&B’s, walked through thriving little towns, and ate at countless Ma & Pa restaurants. I envisioned that entrepreneurism would create similar places along the Silver Comet, but, it hasn’t happened... yet!
Why isn’t there a nice, country lodge west of Rockmart? I suggest west of Rockmart since Atlanta riders seeking a weekend getaway would account for a sizable percentage of patrons. The lodge needs to be far enough away from Atlanta to warrant an overnight stay. Social media is forever abuzz with people asking where do I stay and where do I eat. A nice lodge would be the recommended spot rather than chain motels blocks away from the trail. When we were building the Comet, I saw farm houses on acreage that begged to become an inn for trail travelers. A renovated farm house with add-on potential would be perfect. A big screened porch with tables for breakfast and rocking chairs to watch fellow bikers pass or just to enjoy the quietness of the country setting. I think the lodge would have to be built and managed to Atlanta standards to appeal to patrons from the city. There would be a bonfire on selected nights. I pictured a bike shop in the basement that would rent and service bikes. Guests could ride east one day and west the next.
Why isn’t there a brewery-beer garden across from the depot in downtown Cedartown? It
would immediately become a destination along the trail. The facility could serve a mean hamburger or tasty wings along with good brew. It would encourage more riders to climb Trash Mountain at mile 46.
I am disappointed that entrepreneurism hasn’t provided quality amenities along the Comet to give riders scouring the internet better choices for lodging and eateries. I see people planning trips all the time asking locals on Facebook, “Where do I stay, eat, park and more?” They are all looking for the Silver Comet lodge and the Cedartown beer garden. Lol!
Am I going to have to come out of retirement to develop the lodge or the brewery? I’m willing to download ideas to someone younger, with a vision but I think my days of being an entrepreneur have passed.
ED’S CORNER
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PATH Foundation
1601 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
PATH Foundation Board of Directors
Charlie Shufeldt, Chairman
Alexander C. Taylor, Vice Chairman
Jennifer Dorian, Secretary
Harry L. Anderson, Treasurer
William C. Fowler
B. Harvey Hill, Jr.
Jaime Hockin
Ciannat Howett
James C. Kennedy
Sarah K. Kennedy
Scott Kitchens
E. Cody Laird, Jr.
Stephen Lanier
Tree McGlown
Lyle Ross
John W. Somerhalder II
C. Austin Stephens
Stephanie Stephens
Richard Tyler
Lauren Wilson
Sam Friedman, Emeritus Chairman
W. Douglas Ellis, Jr., Emeritus
Carol Muldawer, Emeritus
Greta deMayo, Executive Director
Ed McBrayer, Executive Advisor
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