Local residents enjoying the Atlanta BeltLine Northeast Trail at the official opening.

Norfolk Southern AVP Real Estate and Facility Services Cliff Garner joined the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. last week as they cut the ribbon for the city’s newest segment of its Northeast Trail. During the event, Clyde Higgs, President and CEO, Atlanta BeltLine, recognized Norfolk Southern’s contributions to the progress of the Atlanta BeltLine by saying, “Partners like Norfolk Southern make the Atlanta BeltLine possible.”

The Atlanta BeltLine is one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the US. This network of public parks, multi-use trails, transit, and affordable housing along a historic 22-mile railroad corridor is enhancing mobility, connecting intown neighborhoods, and improving economic opportunity and sustainability in Norfolk Southern’s hometown – Atlanta, Georgia.

Higgs continued, “The Atlanta BeltLine is predominately built on old railroad lines, and we depend upon them for our success. Thanks to Norfolk Southern’s below market sale of critical property to the BeltLine, the latest segment of Northeast Trail now provides pedestrians and cyclists with a safe crossing below 10 lanes of I-85, the largest highway crossing to date by the paved trail.”

And, with a nod to the future, Higgs shared, “We look forward to continued collaboration on future segments as we bring improved mobility to neighborhoods throughout Atlanta, weaving together our communities and vibrant commercial districts.”

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was also in attendance, and he shared, "The BeltLine is, indeed, a people's project, and we are thrilled to have this destination be able to serve all of Atlanta's residents. This is one of the most highly anticipated segments of the overall BeltLine project.”

Norfolk Southern is charting a better way forward and elevating the communities where we operate. Our involvement in the Atlanta BeltLine is an example of how businesses can be a catalyst for positive change within the communities where we live and work.

Learn more about the Northeast Trail here. For more on the Atlanta BeltLine and the remarkable impact it is having on the city of Atlanta and surrounding communities, visit www.BeltLine.org.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, city leaders, and partners, including Norfolk Southern’s AVP Real Estate and Business Facility Services Cliff Garner, cutting the ribbon for the Atlanta Beltline Northeast Trail.