Photos: First segment of Atlanta's Silver Comet Connector has arrived Josh Green Fri, 03/21/2025 - 16:00 Need proof the long-planned branch of trails in Atlanta to the famed Silver Comet Trail is starting to become real? Look no further.
After years of discussions and planning, Atlanta’s trek toward the expansive Silver Comet recently marked a key milestone with the debut of the Woodall Creek Trail. The .7-mile segment helps weave together growing neighborhoods Blandtown, Underwood Hills, and other areas.
The trail project, which broke ground in February last year, marks the first segment of what’s called the Silver Comet Connector. That multi-use link will extend from Atlanta’s postindustrial Upper Westside district toward Cobb County and the 61.5-mile Silver Comet’s Georgia component—and off to Alabama towns beyond that.
The Woodall Rail Trail follows Woodall Creek, a tributary to Peachtree Creek, through 10 acres of preserved forest in a part of town exploding with residential development. Also on the route are Bacchanalia restaurant, Topgolf Atlanta, colorful murals, towering trees, and a functional bioswale, among other elements.
Tight switchback with an Upper Westside Community District mural. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
At its southernmost point, the Woodall Rail Trail begins at a future connection with the Beltline’s Northwest Trail (expected open this fall), where Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard meets Elaine Avenue. From there, it wends north to the intersection of Chattahoochee Avenue and Chattahoochee Row at The Works, an adaptive-reuse shopping, food, and nightlife destination in Underwood Hills.
Led by the PATH Foundation, the project’s goal was to help preserve the forest and install a safe passage for walking and biking in a part of Atlanta known for lacking sidewalks and parks.
Courtesy of PATH Foundation/Upper Westside CID
Atlanta developer Selig Enterprises, which owns The Works, installed a crosswalk and traffic signal intended to keep trail users safer as they cross Chattahoochee Avenue toward the mixed-use district, and vice versa. Selig is also working with PATH Foundation and Upper Westside CID officials to bring the next Silver Comet Connector section through properties around The Works that front Chattahoochee Avenue along Woodall Creek.
Swing up to the gallery to see how the first Connector section came together—no pedaling required. (Spoiler: It must might look better than renderings suggested.)
Courtesy of PATH Foundation/Upper Westside CID
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Woodall Rail Trail Woodall Creek Peachtree Creek Groundwork Atlanta Trees Atlanta The Works ATL The Works Georgia Department of Natural Resources PATH Foundation Silver Comet Trail Beltline Northwest Trail Atlanta Trails Trails Multi-use Trails Upper Westside Upper Westside CID Upper Westside Community Improvement District Underwood Hills Selig Enterprises Selig IP Construction Atlanta Parks Parks and Rec Bacchanalia
Images
Where the southern entry of the .7-mile Woodall Rail Trail begins today along Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard—just feet from under-construction Beltline trail. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Decorative, rail-heavy trail signage. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Heading north on the pathway along Ellsworth Industrial. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
A bend in the trail with views of Michelin-starred Atlanta dining staple Bacchanalia. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Here we twist north on the Woodall Rail Trail on sections of abandoned rail spurs between warehouses, offices, and woods. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Volunteer work helped clear this section of invasive species, allowing for pathway construction. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
View to serene woods around Woodall Creek beside the new trail. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
The trail's bioswale section designed to capture and help clean runoff water from nearby streets before it enters the creek. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Tight switchback with an Upper Westside Community District mural. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Heading northwest toward the trail's final stretch. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Slight uphill en route to Chattahoochee Avenue. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Another eye-catching entry arc marks Woodall Rail Trail's northern terminus today at Chattahoochee Avenue. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Main entry to The Works live-work-play district, through which the Silver Comet Connector's next phase will weave. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Subtitle Woodall Rail Trail—part of future link from ATL to Alabama—just might be prettier than its renderings
Neighborhood Blandtown
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Before/After Images
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