ATLANTA — The Atlanta Beltline has acquired the final piece of land needed to complete its planned 22-mile trail loop.

Nearly 17 miles of the planned trail are already open. The latest purchase gives the Beltline all of the land needed to build the remaining roughly five miles and reach its goal of completing trail construction by 2030.

“We are very excited to announce that we have all of the land necessary to complete the 22-mile Beltline trail loop,” Atlanta Beltline Vice President of Real Estate Dave Pierce said.

The final purchase is a vacant lot measuring about two-tenths of an acre.

“It’s about two-tenths of an acre, a vacant lot. Not a huge transaction but one that was really exciting because it got us over the finish line to have that 22-mile assembly of land,” Pierce said.

The acquisition marks the end of a nearly two-decade effort involving about 200 transactions and $200 million in investment to secure the land needed for the trail.

Developing the remaining portion of the trail on the northwest side has been more complex because of the lack of an abandoned rail corridor.

“What we had to do was work with our design team and our community engagement team to find an alignment that kind of winds its way through existing neighborhoods and businesses,” Pierce said.

The Beltline expects groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings in the coming years as the remaining miles are built.

Pierce said future land acquisitions will focus on other project goals, including additional affordable housing, greenspace development and connections to other trail networks.

WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Graham Carroll contributed to this story.