MARTA Rail Construction Headed to Your Backyard

Do you want MARTA rail as far north as Windward Parkway and/or an increase in bus routes that will intersect throughout Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton and Johns Creek?  Do you want Ga. 400 to be snarled in traffic woes during construction of MARTA rail for years and years? 

Whether you are for MARTA expansion or against, if MARTA proceeds northward, you will be getting the above scenario.  What is less clear are the benefits and liabilities of MARTA expansion to our city socially, economically, and in terms of housing. 

Thus far the discussion has taken on the stereotypical pros and cons, and will likely expound further on them.  Some of the pro MARTA expansion statements include, “Ga. State and Ga. Perimeter College have satellite campuses further north and students need public transportation to get there”, “Gov. Deal has brought jobs to Alpharetta and these jobs will require rail and buses to transport workers”, “MARTA rail will make it easier for people to visit Avalon”, “MARTA rail extended to Windward Parkway will ease traffic on 400”. 

The naysayers have said, “We moved here to get away from problems associated with MARTA”, “too many MARTA buses are only ½ full most of the time”, “MARTA trains are dirty and smell of urine”, “People should live close to where they work”. 

And what is my opinion, you (may or may not) ask?  After all, I’m writing this blog.

Well, first let me say, I feel personally compelled to join this discussion for the following, rather divergent reasons - 1) I rode MARTA rail and MARTA buses to work and school for almost 5 years as a young person and feel well acquainted with it.  2) I work in midtown and would obviously benefit from a handy dandy train ride into work, as opposed to driving Ga. 400; and 3) I personally and recently suffered from a crime committed by individuals using said handy dandy MARTA rail line.  But more on that another day. 

All of the above inform me but I’m working on an objective opinion in this matter.  Let’s hope everyone stays objective, but mostly let’s hope everyone says something. 

Attend the public meeting on September 26th at 6:30 at Alpharetta City Hall.  State a good reason for wanting or not wanting MARTA expansion into Alpharetta.  Otherwise, your silence will guarantee MARTA rail expansion.