The upcoming implosion of the Georgia Dome in Atlanta could disrupt MARTA service for several hours – or perhaps longer.
The dome is slated for demolition at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 20 – a Monday morning. During a presentation last week, the MARTA Board of Directors learned the event will require the suspension of all rail service west of Five Points to the H.E. Holmes and Bankhead stations. Its blue and green lines run between the Georgia Dome and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“We’re right in the middle of the blast zone,” COO Rich Krisak told the board.
Road closings have also been announced.
During the suspension, MARTA plans to provide three express bus routes to connect Five Points to the H.E. Holmes, Ashby and Bankhead stations. Though Green Line rail service will be completely shut down, Blue Line service between Five Points and Indian Creek in DeKalb County will not be affected. The express bus service will begin at 4:30 a.m. Nov. 20.
After the demolition, MARTA must inspect the rails before the lines reopen. The Georgia World Congress Center – which operates the Georgia Dome – also must sign off.
Krisak told the board the MARTA expects to restore rail service around noon. But if there’s a problem, he said MARTA can sustain the temporary express bus system for several days.
Here’s a map of the bus routes MARTA plans to replace rail service during the disruption:
Credit: David Wickert
Credit: David Wickert
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