When the clock strikes midnight, 14th Street in Midtown turns into one big pumpkin.

At that moment Tuesday morning, Georgia Department of Transportation contractor crews working to reconstruct the bridge will have the green light to close the bridge to traffic.

For 1 1/2 years.

By the time the major Midtown artery reopens, the new U.S. president could have nearly a year leading the country under his or her belt. The Beijing Olympics will be long gone, and the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver will be weeks away.

With luck, hard work and good weather in the coming months, the bridge could reopen more speedily than the scheduled winter 2009/2010, said DOT spokeswoman Crystal Paulk-Buchanan. But, she cautioned, there's no telling.

Meanwhile, DOT officials say to the 25,000 drivers who use the bridge each day, know your detours.

And just know that as bad as it is right now, when the whole project's done you'll have a new turn lane, massive, more efficient Downtown Connector ramps and a new look.

"The same way the 17th Street bridge is an entryway to Atlantic Station, and the Fifth Street bridge is an entryway to Georgia Tech, 14th Street will be an entryway to Midtown," Paulk-Buchanan said.

 ELIZABETH LANDT / Staff
ROAD CHANGES
The project is designed to reduce the traffic jam around 14th Street at the Connector.  

ABOUT THE BRIDGE
1,000 Tons of asphalt in the project
150 People working on the project
25,000 Vehicles a day that cross the bridge
360,000 Vehicles a day on the Connector under the bridge
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Graphic shows color-coded detail of I-75 and I-85 through Midtown Atlanta and the location of the 14th street bridge.  

17th Street exit: New northbound exit ramp will take Connector drivers to 17th street.  
Ramp length: 820 ft. from I-75/I-85 to 17th Street.

Williams Street: The street will continue under the new 17th Street exit ramp allowing drivers to merge onto I-75 northbound.

New southbound ramp: Ramp will allow I-85 drivers to exit directly to 10th Street bypassing 14th Street.
Ramp length: 1/2 mile from I-75/I-85 to 10th Street.

14th Street bridge: The new bridge will be part of the 14th Street corridor.
New bridge length: 389 ft.  
Old bridge length: 300 ft.

LANE CLOSURES
- Williams Street has one lane open.
- Techwood Drive between 16th and 10th streets.
- 14th Street between Techwood Drive and Williams Street.
- I-75 southbound ramp to 14th and 10th streets.
- I-85 southbound ramp to 14th and 10th streets.
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Graphic shows image of bridge after completion.  Inset photo: BEFORE: The bridge as it is before reconstruction —- looking east toward Midtown.  

NEW BRIDGE DESIGN
New features on the 14th Street bridge should help traffic there, including a turn lane that will allow more drivers to wait on the bridge to turn without holding up through-traffic drivers behind them.  Bike lanes were considered for the bridge but not approved. 

Graphic shows total transportation width: 113 ft. includes: Decorative fencing; Sidewalk 15 ft.; 3 travel lanes 34 ft., 11 in. (gutter to gutter); Raised planted median 13 ft., 2 in.; 3 travel lanes 34 ft., 11 in. (gutter to gutter); Sidewalk 15 ft. 

Illustration shows pedestrian walkway with 12 lightposts.  Decorative posts, 32 ft. high, with attachments for event banners.  

Fence detail: 10 ft. high fence: Decorative panels with jagged edges along the top will sit on top of a 3 ft. concrete barrier.

Graphic includes a map showing alternative roads to use during bridge project. Inset map outlines area of detail in Atlanta. 

Sources: Georgia Department of Transportation; Midtown Alliance; Greenberg Farrow