Old-Timey Railroad Crossing Uncovered in Midtown

Two volunteers Saturday morning uncovered an old railroad crossing at the corner of 10th Street and Monroe Drive in Midtown.

It's been 10 years or more since trains crossed the area and the former railroad crossing had become covered in vines, said Midtown resident and community advocate Angel Poventud. 

"We knew that there was something under there," said Poventud, who works as a train conductor for CSX and volunteers his time with organizations including the Atlanta BeltLine and WonderRoot. Jay Wiggins assisted Poventud in uncovering the crossing.

The two are volunteers for "Art on the Atlanta BeltLine," a public art project that for the second year will line the 22-mile BeltLine with temporary art exhibits.

Over the next five weeks, artists will be installing their works along the BeltLine -- including several along the trail from 10th Street and Monroe Drive to Ansley Mall, Poventud said. 

“In only its second year, ‘Art on the Atlanta BeltLine’ has developed a reputation for providing a superior collection of publicart that celebrates the tremendous progress being made along Corridor,” Brian Leary, president and CEO of the BeltLine, said in a release.

“We are excited to present such engaging work that compels residents and visitors to experience the Atlanta BeltLine and see the highly anticipated parks and trails that have been completed.”

This year, there will be 66 visual and performance pieces for Art on the BeltLine. The participating artists were announced late last week. 

The art will be displayed or performed from September to November. The schedule will be released later this summer.