Atlanta Beltline South Trail
The Atlanta Beltline is a sustainable urban redevelopment project that will eventually connect 45 intown neighborhoods via a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails, parks, transit options, and affordable housing, all built along historic railroad corridors that once encircled the city.
Our team of experts provided environmental consulting and geotechnical engineering services for the Southside Trail (SST) portion of the Beltline. This section is approximately 3 miles on Atlanta’s southeast side, following the former CSX railroad, and is designed as a public transportation right-of-way within a green, sustainable environment. United Consulting’s environmental professionals evaluated the Beltline’s Brownfield status and then functioned as a liaison between the owner and state agencies, leading meetings with the EPD’s Brownfield Unit concerning the Corrective Action Plan (CAP). While managing multiple soil and groundwater assessments, remediation efforts and thoroughly documenting our findings, we also assisted with the development of remediation bid documents and finalizing CAP amendments. Our experts provided strategic guidance on environmental risk management and supported Atlanta Beltline, Inc. in securing a $500,000 Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Brownfield Program Cleanup Grant. When an undocumented underground storage tank surfaced at the former Pittsburgh Yards, we immediately managed its removal, and oversaw EPD reporting, securing a “no further action” letter within 11 days, which prevented project delays.
United Consulting’s professional engineers were tasked with completing a soil survey, several Bridge Foundation Investigations (BFIs), and numerous Wall Foundation Investigations (WFIs). The proposed walls were situated in challenging topographic locations with strict clearing limitations for the drill rig, so we devised a plan to combine the information from multiple borings to create reliable profiles, for each wall. This task was further complicated by the use of multiple different wall types that required scopes tailored for each wall.
Under our leadership, the SST project remained on track and adhered to aggressive funding deadlines. United Consulting’s expertise in environmental and geotechnical services was instrumental in advancing the SST project and contributing to a sustainable, accessible transportation corridor.
