Photo tour: First new Beltline section of '25 highlights beauty, problems Josh Green Mon, 06/23/2025 - 12:51
As of today’s official Westside Trail ribbon-cutting, Atlanta Beltline connectivity has never been better. But while the project’s newest segment is a vital link between earlier trails, neighborhoods, and even downtown, it’s also a study in contrasts.
The Westside Trail’s only missing piece—the 1.3-mile Segment 4—is officially open for runners, cyclists, walkers, and anyone else not traveling by motorized vehicle, marking a “major milestone” for the broader project, as officials recently said.
It provides a wooded section shaded by towering trees, views of vast templates for planned development, seating and shade structures, and easy-to-navigate connections to surface streets. But it also lends a front-row seat to residential blight like no Beltline pathway before it.
North view from Segment 4, with the Azalea Gardens community at right. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
The Segment 4 opening means 6.8 miles of contiguous, mainline Beltline pathway has now been pieced together, the longest stretch to date. The finished Westside Trail connects neighborhoods around the loop from Huff Road in Blandtown down to Pittsburgh Yards, directly south of downtown.
The Westside Trail’s newest section is also now linked with the 1.7-mile connector trail that spokes out of downtown, providing a route to the city's commercial core.
Latest construction progress map for the Beltline's 22-mile loop, with the 1.3-mile Westside Trail's Segment 4 (now complete) at left.Atlanta Beltline Inc.
The Beltline and its city partners have ambitious plans to build an influx of housing—to the tune of 3,300 units, eventually—on parcels just west of the new trail section, north of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard.
Elsewhere, as this photo essay illustrates, existing (and crumbling) multifamily projects just east of the new trail are clearly also in need of attention.
Segment 4 broke ground in March 2023. Today it includes bridges and other elevated structures, a fiber duct bank, vertical connections to several neighborhood streets, security cameras, and lighting, alongside storm drainage and management systems with green infrastructure. Part of Segment 4 was opened last fall, but a gap of nearly a mile remained. (Find a tour of that earlier section here.)
Pedal up to the gallery for a look at the Westside Trail’s last crucial piece to be filled in, starting from its northern end.
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Images
We begin at the juncture where the Westside Beltline Connector now allows for a left, southward turn onto the Westside Trail. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Heading south on Westside Trail Segment 4, now open to the public. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Handrails and ramp infrastructure nearing Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Looking back north toward new lighting and a retention pond beside Segment 4. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Crossing beneath Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Ramp infrastructure on the southern side of Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
A brick warehouse complex, at right, where the 24/7 Moving company operates. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Unseen at left is the 15.5-acre property, 1060 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, where Star Metals developer Allen Morris Company has completed rezoning. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
A more open section of Segment 4, just east of Maddox Park. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
A shade structure overlooking part of downtown's skyline. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
An empty, brick-clad apartment community along Neal Place NW, just east of the trail. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
View to properties at right that include City of Atlanta Department of Transportation facilities and a sanitation substation. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
East view over the Neal Place apartments toward Midtown. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
A pleasantly wooded (and shaded) section of the new trail near Joseph E. Boone Boulevard. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
The western section of the Azalea Gardens apartment complex, vacant and in disrepair, neighbors Segment 4 at left. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
An elevated section of the Westside Trail nearing Joseph E. Boone Boulevard. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Looking east over Azalea Gardens apartments. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
North view from Segment 4, with the Azalea Gardens community at right. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
New signals and pedestrian safety infrastructure where Segment 4 meets Joseph E. Boone Boulevard. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Segment 4's connection to Joseph E. Boone Boulevard bike lanes, looking east toward Vine City's Cook Park. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Heading south again, between Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and Mobile Street/Mayson Turner Road.Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Concrete bench seating and future landscaping spaces. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Looking back north toward Joseph E. Boone Boulevard. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
We end where Segment 4 connects with a section finished last fall. Washington Park is ahead on the left, and the Lee + White district is three miles south of this point. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Subtitle Finished Westside Trail now links downtown to Southwest Atlanta neighborhoods, key streets
Neighborhood Bankhead
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