MARTA takes a road-trip to Gwinnett

A group of MARTA officials and Gwinnett business leaders took a field trip today up I-85 on a MARTA bus to scope out the area in Norcross and around Gwinnett Place Mall. Local business associations and MARTA are splitting the cost of a feasibility study ($100,000) to extend the north-east rail line from Doraville up to Gwinnett Place Mall with three proposed stations at the intersection of Jimmy Carter Blvd. & Buford Hwy., on Indian Trail near I-85, and at the mall.

The route of the proposed extension is nowhere near finalized. It may get moved closer to I-85, but for now they are taking advantage of right of way under the giant power lines running north from Doraville Station.

Paul Donsky: "As the road trip wore on, the bus riders struck a cautiously
hopeful tone. They see the need for improved transit, but understand the
enormous political and financial hurdles that are in the way."

However, there is a lot of residential and commercial activity in this corridor. . It has been 16 years since the same plan was rejected by Gwinnett voters, but between the dramatic change in demographics and economic activity, there is a good chance the line will eventually be built. Paul Donsky-AJC (1/9/07-6:57pm), Camie Young-Gwinnett Daily Post (1/10/07-12:17am)