When Atlanta voters approved the Moving Atlanta Forward infrastructure program in 2022, they backed a historic investment in sidewalks, safer street crossings, protected bike and scooter lanes, trails, street repairs, recreation facilities, and public safety infrastructure. The program spans multiple departments, but the largest share—especially for mobility and safety—sits with the Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT).

Three years later, the newest audit reveals a complicated picture: some departments are closing out projects at a steady clip, while others—especially ATLDOT—are moving far more slowly. For residents waiting on safer sidewalks, crossings, or bike projects in their neighborhoods, these delays matter.

Here’s what the audit found, what the Oversight Committee is seeing up close, and how this connects to the question so many Atlantans are asking: Where’s my project?

What the Audit Found

1. Many ATLDOT projects are still stuck early in the pipeline.

Of the 202 transportation projects in the Moving Atlanta Forward portfolio, 168 have technically “started,” but one-third are still in the earliest phases—planning or design—three years into the program.

2. Some projects have even moved backward.

Cascade Road Improvements, for example, went back a phase when additional work was added, delaying progress even further.

3. Project delivery is uneven across City Council districts.

Some districts are seeing activity; others—often high-need neighborhoods—remain stuck with minimal movement.

4. The dashboard is now public, but the data still has gaps.

The audit praises the dashboard launch but notes ongoing data verification and accuracy issues, making it hard for residents to rely on it fully.

Exhibit 10: A Clearer Picture of ATLDOT’s Slower Pace

While spending percentages don’t tell the full story, Exhibit 10 does. This chart compares how many projects each department has moved into the final “closeout” phase.

• ATLDOT: Four projects in closeout
  
  
• Dept. of Enterprise Asset Management (DEAM): One project (with a far smaller portfolio)
  
  
• Dept. of Parks and Recreation (DPR): 23 projects in closeout

Even adjusting for project type and volume, the takeaway is unmistakable:

ATLDOT, the department responsible for most pedestrian, bicycle, and safety improvements, has advanced far fewer projects to completion than other departments.

This confirms what residents already feel: sidewalks, crossings, and safety projects aren’t keeping pace with voter expectations.

What the Oversight Committee Is Seeing

The Moving Atlanta Forward Oversight Committee is a 15-member body appointed by the Mayor and City Council to monitor spending, schedules, and project delivery across departments.

Attendance varies each quarter, but committee members consistently raise similar concerns:

1. Slow movement on sidewalk and safe-streets projects

Across multiple 2025 meetings, members noted frustration with the pace of ATLDOT delivery and asked for updates on delayed corridors such as Sylvan Road, Dill Avenue, and Arden Avenue.

2. Staffing challenges inside ATLDOT

Hiring project managers remains difficult, and the department repeatedly cites this as a barrier to moving projects forward.

3. Permitting and right-of-way delays

Sidewalk projects in particular face bottlenecks with tree protection permitting, utility coordination, and on-site due diligence. These came up in February 2025 discussions about Metropolitan Parkway and other corridors.

4. Other departments are outpacing ATLDOT

Dozens of DPR and DEAM projects have moved into construction or closeout. ATLDOT has moved far fewer into late phases despite controlling the majority of voter-approved projects.
For example:

• DPR reported 82 percent of its MAF projects in construction or closeout (Nov 2025).
• ATLDOT reported only 19 percent (Nov 2025).

That gap is the core issue.

5. Committee members are asking for stronger metrics and clearer definitions

During the August 2025 meeting, committee members—including Propel ATL's Executive Director—asked for better metrics, clearer project definitions, and updates on safe streets.
This indicates that even the committee struggles to track progress with the current data.

Why These Findings Matter

Delays in the early phases compound over time. The audit warns that a heavy volume of planning and design phase projects means:

• Construction costs will rise (especially with inflation).
• Departments risk overspending budgets.
• Neighborhoods—particularly those with historic underinvestment—will wait the longest for safety improvements.
• Residents lose confidence in the city's ability to deliver.

This isn’t about blame. It’s about transparency:
Are the projects voters approved truly on track to be built on time, in full, and equitably?

So… Where’s My Project?

For many Atlantans, the audit confirms what they’ve been seeing for years:

• Sidewalk requests that never move.
• Crosswalks promised but not installed.
• Safe-Street projects delayed for multiple budget cycles.
• Design phases that seem endless.

That’s why Propel ATL launched Where’s My Project?

Our goal is simple:
Make it easier for residents to understand what’s happening, where their project stands, and what they can do when things get stuck.

The audit and Oversight Committee minutes reinforce exactly why this work is needed:

The dashboard helps, but it isn’t enough.

Without full data accuracy, residents still face gaps in understanding.

Project schedules aren’t always clear.

Even committee members struggle to get straightforward answers on delays.

Accountability requires community voice.

Departments respond faster when constituents, NPUs, neighborhood associations, and riders ask questions.

What You Can Do to Advocate for Your Project

• Use the city’s dashboard to check your project’s status.
• Share delays with neighbors, your NPU, and your City Council office.
• Tell us at Propel ATL what you’re seeing so we can lift up systemic issues.
• Also, contact us if you want to advocate for specific projects in your community.

Atlantans voted for safer, more connected streets. Now we need to ensure those promises become real projects.

Learn more and explore the map:
➡️ letspropelatl.org/wheresmyproject