The Jacobs Group, a transportation-consulting firm hired by GDOT and CID to scope out the region's transportation priorities, presented a new "ATL-Northside Strategy" to their bosses. The study recommends a light rail line from Kennesaw to the Cumberland Mall-Cobb Galleria in the Smyrna area, then extending east along the top end of I-285 Perimeter to the Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody (and linking with the Northside line).

The consultants also says it would be more cost-effective to extend the MARTA Red Line north from the North Springs Station to Holcomb Bridge than to build a new light rail line up Ga. 400. Eventually, a line also would extend to Doraville, and hook up with Buford line.