If you’re traveling through Atlanta, prepare to see Peachtree Street up in lights.
The state Transportation Board is poised to declare the Downtown Connector a gateway to the state, and to help fund a makeover to pretty up some of the high-profile bridges that pass over it.
The first two are the Peachtree Street bridges that pass over the Connector and back, in Downtown and Midtown.
“This lets the traveling public know the city of Atlanta is the capital city,” said DOT board president Johnny Floyd. “We want to showcase it and make sure it looks good.”
The makeover, according to the Midtown Alliance, will include colored under-lighting for night time and the words “Peachtree Street” in lights, as well as sculptured fences and sidewalks on the surface level over the I-85/I-75 interchange.
The Department of Transportation’s board approved the expense on Thursday. DOT will put $1.7 million toward the $5 million project for two bridges. Three other bridges would follow later, said DOT board member Sam Wellborn. Kevin Green, president of the Midtown Alliance, said all the money is now in place and both projects will hopefully be completed in spring of 2014. The Atlanta Downtown Improvement District is also helping fund the project.
The DOT money comes from signs near highway exits that advertise businesses at upcoming rest stops. That money is dedicated to making “gateways” to the state attractive.
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