Forget the midnight train to Georgia. Atlantans can now zoom down the new Gladys Knight Highway.

A portion of the city’s State Route 9 from Peachtree Street to 14th Street has officially been dedicated to the Atlanta-born Empress of Soul, after Gov. Nathan Deal signed Senate Resolution 441 this week in her honor.

It’s the first time anything has been named for Knight in her home state, despite a 50-year career, more than 40 albums and seven Grammy awards.

State Sen. Donzella James, D-Atlanta, sponsored the resolution.

Black History: Gladys Knight

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Constituent Services Director Vesna Kurspahic helps a student with his service academy application at U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick’s office in Cumming, Ga., on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. Kurspahic is constituent services director for Congressman Rich McCormick. During the government shutdown, she is handling a caseload of roughly 250 requests without receiving any salary. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

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