The Atlanta Beltline Project takes its name from the original Beltline railway, a ring of railroads that encircles the city which were established piecemeal in the late 19th century into the mid-20th century. It was built as part of Atlanta’s identity as a “New South” city, meant to support and attract industry and commerce to the city, and it was controlled by several competing railways that held different portions of the line. It reached its peak use shortly after the end of the construction work, as in the late 1960s freight began traveling more frequently by truck than by train. The remaining railway bridges represent the most significant remaining historic resources from the original Beltline, as they are the most intact, and visible, and establish a cultural identity for the surrounding neighborhoods. The Atlanta Preservation Center is vigorously advocating for these remaining bridges to be landmarked and preserved.