Passengers on two Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) railcars look a little different these days. After routinely traversing the city for years, the retired vessels embarked on a new journey to promote sustainability and house marine wildlife.
Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources teamed up with MARTA for the project, developing a plan to repurpose the decommissioned railcars in an environmentally responsible way. After ensuring the commuter cars were free of harmful materials such as wires, oil, and grease, they were transported to Georgia’s coastline and released into Artificial Reel L, which is already home to several other defunct structures promoting marine life, such as tugboats, barges, and battle tanks.
Since their deployment in December of last year, a variety or barnacles, corals, and sponges have already begun to establish themselves onto the railcar. As marine biologist Cameron Brinton explains, the reef will “become more and more productive as time goes on.”
For occasional updates on the project, visit MARTA‘s Instagram.
