If you are headed to the State Capitol over the next year you may run into some construction. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Senator Jon Ossoff announced on Tuesday some $30 million in infrastructure upgrades for downtown streets. The money is part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed last year and part of the Safe Streets for All program which aims to improve safety and access for pedestrians and cyclists.
“Our vision of transportation in Atlanta is safe, multi-modal and sustainable,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “These federal dollars, combined with the commitment made by voters through our Moving Atlanta Forward infrastructure program, will transform Central Avenue and Pryor Street into safe corridors that connect the Southside and the BeltLine to our Downtown. Thank you to the Biden Administration and Sen. Ossoff, Sen. Warnock and Rep. Williams for continuing to invest in making Atlanta a city built for the future.”
The section of Beltline that crosses Pryor Avenue south of downtown is one of the last remaining unpaved and nearly untouched sections remaining across the city. Located south of the former Turner Field and somewhat near the infamous Wendy’s that burned down during Atlanta protests in 2020, that section of Beltline connects Grant Park and Peoplestown with the Lee + White development in the West End, home to a number of popular breweries and event spaces. Pryor and Central are joined there but split near Turner Field and run parallel to each other through downtown all the way up to Woodruff Park and merging with other streets near the 191 Peachtree building downtown.
“Through the bipartisan infrastructure law, $30 million is coming to Atlanta for pedestrian and bike improvements along Pryor Street and Central Avenue to connect the south side BeltLine with neighborhoods across the South side of town and improve passenger and pedestrian safety,” said Senator Jon Ossoff. “I thank Senator Warnock, Representative Williams, Mayor Dickens, and the Atlanta City Council for putting Atlanta in a position to win through the bipartisan infrastructure law.”
The biggest difference that visitors to the area will see are the dedicated bike lanes, but upgrades will also include crosswalk lighting, roadway reconfiguration, medians, lower speed limits and better signage for road curves at frequent crash spots. The new bike lanes are part of an increasing network across the city. Despite Atlanta’s hills – among the most in the country for a city of its size, bikes are becoming an increasingly common sight across the city and with the development of e-bikes, in addition to the new lanes, biking to work is getting to be a realistic possibility for many Atlantans.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is already investing in Georgia’s economy and making Atlanta a safer place for pedestrians and bikers,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I’m thrilled to see protected bike lanes and pedestrian facilities come to Pryor Street and Central Avenue. The federal investments to connect the Southside Beltline trail to Atlanta’s downtown will help create jobs, alleviate traffic, and support Atlanta small businesses.”
