The completion of Segments 2 and 3 of the Atlanta Beltline’s Southside Trail marked a major milestone for both Reeves Young and the Beltline project itself.

This 1.2-mile stretch connected the Glenwood Park, Grant Park, Ormewood Park, and Boulevard Heights communities, extending from Glenwood Avenue to Boulevard Southeast.

Bryce McDonald, Heavy Civil Operations Manager at Reeves Young, described the challenge of delivering the multifaceted project ahead of a critical deadline: the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta. Through the dedication and perseverance of the project team and its trade partners, Reeves Young successfully completed the project on schedule while exceeding expectations.

“The project would not have been completed had it not been for the acceleration efforts from Reeves Young and our trades,” McDonald said

McDonald explained that communication, collaboration, and strategic planning were key factors in meeting the accelerated schedule.

“We collaborated with the Beltline on ways to improve the schedule. Their main focus starting in late 2025 was to have this section of the Beltline completed by the start of the World Cup,” he said.

While the World Cup deadline added urgency to the project, McDonald emphasized that the long-term impact on the surrounding communities remained the team’s primary motivation.

“The main appeal for this section of the Beltline was that the neighboring communities would have access to 17 miles of continuous trail, essentially from their backyard,” he said.

The completed segment now provides accessible routes for residents, visitors, students, and families, connecting neighborhoods to job centers both north and south of I-20. Completing the project before the World Cup also helped prepare the area for the anticipated increase in visitors to the Atlanta area.

“Delivering this project before the FIFA World Cup was very important considering the increased activity and pedestrian and bike traffic,” McDonald said.

Brennan Small, Project Manager for Segments 2 and 3, explained that as the deadline grew closer, aligning efforts took on even greater importance.

“As we approached project completion, coordination became even more critical, with daily communication between the project team, subcontractors, and the owner to ensure final commissioning activities remained on schedule and any issues were addressed quickly,” Small said.

The team’s disciplined communication and commitment to execution allowed Reeves Young to meet the demanding schedule while maintaining its high standards for quality.

When asked what he was most proud of, Small pointed to the dedication of everyone involved in delivering the project.

“Achieving completion of the project on time required numerous long days, weekend work, and an unwavering commitment from everyone involved. I’m extremely proud of the dedication and teamwork demonstrated by both the Reeves Young project team and our subcontractors throughout the project,” he said.