MARTA Adds New Airport Stop to Clayton County Rapid Transit Plan

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – MARTA announced a plan Friday to connect Clayton County directly to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with the region’s first-ever bus rapid transit system.

The proposal involving high-capacity buses has been in the works since 2020.

The 15-mile Southlake Expressway would connect Southlake Mall, The Shops at Riverdale, Southern Regional Medical Center and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to the domestic terminal.

“I can’t wait because I work at the airport,” said Chedrick Williams, who was waiting for a bus at the Riverdale Shops.

Board members discussed the plan on April 25 and officially added the airport stopover to the plan on Friday.

There will be designated lanes and mixed lanes on existing roads.

A MARTA spokesperson told Atlanta News First that they hope this will provide “better access to jobs, faster and more reliable travel time from Clayton to the metro area and meet the growing demand for rail services.” public transport.

“Any effort is a good effort,” said MARTA driver Bo Bigham. “People need it.”

Nest begins the design phase and further environmental studies. MARTA also said it would apply for federal grants this summer.

The project is expected to be completed in 2030.