MARTA Begins Bus Rapid Transit Work in Summerhill

ATLANTA — Work is well underway in the Summerhill neighborhood on what will be a historic first for transportation in Atlanta.

Hank Aaron Drive will be home to the city’s first bus rapid transit system. MARTA crews are currently working in the center lanes to repair and repave the asphalt, the first step toward the system’s planned August 2025 opening.

Scott Taylor, commercial real estate developer at Carter, has been deeply involved in the transformation of Summerhill, where new life replaces empty parking lots. Taylor credits the work done along Hank Aaron Drive with helping to attract new businesses to the area.

“This area hadn’t had a grocery store in over seventy years,” Taylor said. “The fact that Publix knew bus rapid transit was coming to this area was a major factor in making the decision.”

MARTA Rapid Summerhill will span a five-mile loop, connecting the Beltline to downtown as well as the Georgia State, Five Points and Garnett stations.

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“The idea behind bus rapid transit is to make it similar to a heavy train, but on rubber tires,” said project manager Greg Holder.

Accordion-style buses will operate on their own designated lanes. They will have priority at traffic lights and will continue moving while everyone else stops. Eventually, there will be fourteen stops with platform shelters and signs informing travelers of the exact time the next bus will arrive.

“That’s something I didn’t have growing up in Toronto,” Holder said. “I was there, freezing, but now I know the bus will be here in two minutes.”

Buses will arrive at each stop every 15 to 20 minutes.

Some bus stops have been temporarily closed or relocated. For more information, click here to access the MARTA Project webpage.