Let the countdown to long-awaited Eastside Trail construction begin!

With a developer in place, design finished, and that protracted dispute with Atlanta Public Schools behind them, Beltline officials told Curbed this week that actual construction of the Beltline’s next leg through Cabbagetown and Reynoldstown will begin in "early Spring." Our painstaking research indicates that spring officially begins on March 20 this year. But it’s too early to say exactly when the backhoes and bulldozers will be powwowing on this defunct rail corridor, or exactly where that heavy-equipment party will begin. (Near Irwin Street? Somewhere else?)

"The weather we’re having as a consideration alone can cause unexpected delays, and that’s often something people do not consider," Beltline spokeswoman Ericka Davis said earlier this week.

(UPDATE: Davis sends word that the plan is start construction at the extension's south end in Reynoldstown.)

What is clear: The popular trail’s next phase will stop a bit short of Memorial Drive at Kirkwood Avenue, and the Astra Group will be building it. The company previously worked on the first two and 1/2 mile section of the Eastside Trail and the first phase of Historic Fourth Ward Park. Contractually, they’ll be required to finish this next stretch of the Eastside Trail within 18 months. No word yet on a groundbreaking.

For now, let's enjoy these glimpses of the future Eastside Trail, taken a few days ago. Hopefully this all looks like ancient history very soon.