The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority granted funds to advance design and engineering for the Express Lane Transit station areas along SR 400
Alpharetta, GA — December 15, 2025 — True North 400, the community improvement district (CID) serving the commercial district in North Fulton County along Georgia SR 400, announced today it has secured a $2 million grant to advance conceptual design and preliminary engineering for first and last mile connectivity to the future Express Lane Transit (ELT) system. The funding will accelerate planning for multimodal access to the proposed ELT station areas.
The next decade will bring unprecedented mobility investment along SR 400, including the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) $4 billion SR 400 Express Lanes project and MARTA’s simultaneous development of ELT. As ELT stations are currently planned within the highway median, the ability to safely and conveniently access these stations is essential not only for riders, but also for the surrounding communities and the economic centers they serve.
True North 400’s project will build on the 2024 Station Area Planning Study, completed in partnership with MARTA, by producing detailed conceptual development plans, refined cost estimates and preliminary engineering. The work will help unlock long-term opportunities for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), improve mobility and enhance regional competitiveness.
“This grant represents a major step toward creating a safer, more accessible and more connected transit future for North Fulton,” said Kristin Winzeler, executive director of True North 400. “With the scale of investment coming to the SR 400 corridor, it is essential that our communities and businesses can fully benefit from it. Strengthening first and last mile connections will ensure that Express Lane Transit is not only feasible, but successful, by making stations easy to reach, welcoming to riders of all abilities and integrated with the economic centers that drive our region.”
A Strategic Response to a Regional Mobility Challenge
Median-located ELT stations create inherent challenges for rider access. Without strategic connections, the stations may also miss opportunities to support TOD, diminish ridership potential and reduce the broader economic impact of the state’s largest transit investment to date.
The new planning and engineering effort will involve collaboration with MARTA, GDOT, local jurisdictions, SR 400 Peach Partners and True North 400 stakeholders to ensure the resulting designs create a safer, more connected and more customer-focused ELT system.
True North 400’s project directly supports the Atlanta Transit Link Authority’s (ATL) Strategic Blueprint and its core pillars, which include:
- Competitiveness: By enhancing access to key employment centers and high-growth commercial districts, the project strengthens the region’s ability to attract and retain businesses.
- Customer Focus: The planned connections prioritize safety, convenience and equitable access, building a rider experience that meets the expectations of local stakeholders and future transit customers.
- Cross-County Connectivity: Although located in Fulton County, the improvements will benefit commuters traveling from Forsyth, DeKalb, Cobb and other metro counties — reflecting the true regional nature of the SR 400 corridor.
A Foundation for Future Growth
The work funded by this grant will provide a strategic roadmap for multimodal station integration, unlock TOD potential across North Fulton and support long-term ridership growth — strengthening the region’s transportation network for decades to come.
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About True North 400
True North 400 is a community improvement district (CID) dedicated to enhancing mobility, safety, economic vitality, and quality of life along the SR 400 corridor in North Fulton County. Through strategic public-private partnerships, the CID advances infrastructure improvements and connectivity projects that support the region’s continued growth.