Beneath the viaducts of Atlanta’s downtown are many miles of railroad tracks. Since the early twentieth century, these viaducts routed Atlanta’s pedestrians and traffic above the rail lines.
Atlanta’s Spring Street Viaduct (now Ted Turner Drive)—one of the most prominent—has served the City of Atlanta for 96 years. Built in 1922, the Viaduct has been and remains a gateway to Downtown Atlanta. It is a major connector for residents, visitors, commuters and businesses. Today, it is a well-traveled route to downtown destinations including the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, CNN Center, Phillips Arena, the Georgia World Congress Center, Richard B. Russell Federal Building, Martin Luther King Federal Building, Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center and the Castleberry Hill, Luckie-Marietta and Fairlie-Poplar neighborhoods.
After a lengthy life, the bridge—now structurally deficient with advanced steel and concrete deterioration—requires replacement. Aside from safety factors, replacement will also enhance regional economic development efforts by improving accessibility and connectivity in the downtown corridor - keeping motorists, transit riders and freight deliveries flowing efficiently.
Although much work has been completed, more work is needed. Ted Turner Drive between Mitchell Street and MLK Jr. Dive is temporarily closed until the second quarter of 2021 for viaduct replacement work. Lower MLK Jr. Drive is closed during demolition and construction, and Upper MLK Jr. Drive is closed between Forsyth Steet and Ted Turner Drive.
The Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center and Richard B. Russell parking garages will remain open and accessible by the existing roadway. The privately operated parking lot located behind the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, also known as the “Gulch”, will remain open during the Spring Street Viaduct project.
Information: www.dot.ga.gov
About the Author
