Presbyterian College > Academic Web Server > Jon Bell > Transit > (Cities | Types) > Atlanta > East Line

Atlanta, Georgia: MARTA East Line

Description

MARTA's East Line extends from Five Points 10.3 miles to Indian Creek, just outside the Perimeter expressway (I-285). Most of the line is at ground level or elevated, but there is a short underground section through the Decatur business district. Between Georgia State and East Lake, the line runs alongside the CSX railroad tracks, and passes a large intermodal freight facility.

Pictures

[picture #1] | [picture #2] Between Georgia State and King Memorial, the line crosses over the I-75 / I-85 expressway, then crosses from the south to north sides of the parallel CSX railroad tracks. (May 2002)

[picture[ A telephoto view of the King Memorial station, looking east along Decatur Street from a parking structure near the Georgia State station. (May 2002)

[picture] A westbound train leaves King Memorial station on the East Line, on its way to downtown Atlanta and Bankhead. The dome of the Georgia state capitol building is in the distance. (June 1996)

[picture] On the platform at King Memorial. (October 2000)

[picture] A short distance west of the East Lake station, the East Line runs on a pair of elevated viaducts alongside the CSX railroad tracks. The viaducts are separated so as to provide for a turnoff for a northward branch towards Emory University which was once proposed but will probably not be built. Unfortunately, a CSX freight train came along and blocked the view of the other viaduct. (October 2000)

[picture] The line dives underground to pass beneath the Decatur business district. The Decatur station is one of the more colorful ones on the system, with large murals on both platforms that extend upward into the concourse level [picture]. (May 2002)

[picture] A westbound train passes the Avondale Yard on the East Line, just east of the Avondale station. (June 1996)

[picture] The Kensington station is probably the most monumental one in the system. The tracks are in a cut, and the roof soars high over them, supported by cylindrical concrete columns. (October 2000)

[picture] A bit east of Kensington, we have a view of a westbound train just after leaving the station. (October 2000)

[picture] The walls of the Indian Creek station are decorated with metal sculptures that (I guess) are supposed to be reminiscent of the animals that Indians hunted here. (October 2000)

[picture] The end of track on the East Line, just beyond the Indian Creek station. (October 2000)

This page was last updated on 12 May 2003, and reviewed on 22 November 2007.

Presbyterian College > Academic Web Server > Jon Bell > Transit > (Cities | Types) > Atlanta > East Line

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