Lately it seems all of Atlanta is under construction, in a flurry of last-minute cleaning for the international football party we’re hosting in June. 

Some of it is good — curb ramps being installed that let people in wheelchairs or pushing strollers have safe access to sidewalks which are also getting repaired. Decades-long projects huffing it out over the finish line (looking good, Juniper and S. Boulevard!) Trail crossings were added a few years after the trail was completed (Arkwright over Moreland Ave). And Atlanta’s most iconic street-level photo booth (Jackson Street) no longer blocked by cars — plus a new spot for bridge pics opening up (Clifton Street).

On the flip side of the coin, asphalt is being slathered all over our downtown streets with nary a thought for the safety features or new striping plans that could have made this truly a makeover and not just the proverbial lipstick: Ralph McGill, Centennial Olympic Place, Peachtree Street. 

So a lot is happening, some good, some bad, and some approaching great. And some of it is just plain weird. Whoever can explain this (see photo below) to me or find it in a design guide, the matcha is on me.

Photo: Propel ATL

Good to Great

South Boulevard Safe Streets Project

Councilmember Jason Winston says “construction is underway for the South Boulevard Complete Street Project! The initial phase has begun between Chosewood and Benteen Park focusing on making the sidewalk safer, more accessible, and easier to navigate.” We are very excited for this project — it comes after years of collaboration and advocacy between community members including those involved with "A Safer Boulevard."

Photo: District 1 Newsletter

14th Street

This Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) "roadway reconfiguration" is adding separated bike/scoot lanes to a 1.1 mile section of 14th St between Northside Drive on the west and Barnes Street on the east. The project, which has had strong neighborhood support since the jump, will start by repaving 14th Street, followed by temporary striping in the old configuration, then GDOT contractors will install the bike/scoot lane materials. Finally, a separate project on the same corridor will finish the reconfiguration between Howell Mill and Northside Drive, adding medians and pedestrian midblock crossings. Construction on that project is scheduled for 2028. More info

Image: GDOT

Clifton Street

What's new? ATLDOT added both paint AND protection to the stretch between Glenwood Avenue and Memorial Drive and extended the existing bike/scoot lane. They also installed a "bike box" to help those traveling northbound traffic at the Clifton/Memorial intersection. Yay! The posts next to Burgess Peterson Academy are wonky — some are missing because they were just glued down originally — and if you're claustrophobic you might feel the lane is closing in on you. Not to worry though, because as you cross I-20 things get better, widening to enough room to ride side by side.

Photo: Propel ATL

Jackson Street Bridge

Talk about a long-awaited project. So many people have advocated for this project since it was just an idea that some have had time to move away, then move back! Well, it turned out great. The barriers are highly functional and the pedestrian crossing is one of the better ones we've seen. Take all the pics you want, Atlanta!

Photos: Propel ATL

An astute observer noticed this description doesn't include the parklet originally designed for this location. Apparently the original Department of City Planning funding wasn't enough to do both the road safety project and the parklet elements. We're hopeful community advocates and the City can come up with the rest of the money to fulfill that longstanding commitment.  

Trolley Line Trail Crossing at Arkwright/Moreland

Construction is underway on this project, which will connect the newish section of Trolley Line Trail in Edgewood with across Moreland Ave, always a tricky part of the journey east-west in our city. Adjacent neighborhoods and folks who use the Trolley Line, along with Propel, got GDOT to adjust the crossing location to make sure it actually works as intended. This is a an especially dangerous section of Moreland, with multiple pedestrian fatalities in the past few years on both sides of I-20 (the interchange is also getting an overhaul, but not one with pedestrian safety as the primary goal...)  

Photo: Propel ATL

Juniper Complete Street

Everyone seems to be talking about this project, and it only took a decade! Whew. Big congrats to Midtown Alliance for sticking with this major overhaul of a key east-west street in Midtown. 

Sidewalk and ADA Ramps 

And just like spring flowers, new sections of sidewalks and ADA curb ramps are popping up everywhere! Here's a map of Moving Atlanta Forward sidewalks and ADA ramps so you can satisfy your curiosity as to where to expect them next. For everyone who pushed these into existence, including members of Atlanta's ADA Advisory Committee and advocates like former Councilmember Carden Wyckoff, we hope you're celebrating the fruits of your labors! 

Photo: Propel ATL. Pictured: Tater Tot, wondering if finding this ramp deserves a treat.

The Bad (and Confusing) 

Peters Street

We previously shared news about Peters Street getting resurfaced by GDOT, and how the community worked with Councilmember Jason Dozier to support plans to flip the on-street parking to protect the bike/scoot lane.

While that's still the plan, the GDOT contractor installing the road striping put things back the way they were, instead of following the plans! They'll have to fix this, creating delay and a dangerous end to the bike lane as it approaches the Ted Turner intersection. Crosswalks haven't been striped yet, not even temporary markings, and there's no taper or thought given to what a person on a bike is supposed to do when the lane ends suddenly. Be careful if you're traveling this corridor! 

No photo for this one — I was too busy trying not to get hit by cars! 

Centennial Olympic Place

Same story, different street. There is a planned bike lane here, but due to the City's long delay then rush order, it was repaved without safety improvements, despite a successful effort to get the World Cup repaving bond amended to require them. Boo. 

Image: Cycle Atlanta Plan

Photo: Eric Phillips, part of the contingency of Atlantans calling for improvements for years now.

Ralph McGill Boulevard

Third time's the charm? Nope, not this time. The streets were also repaved without planned safety improvements. Despite the intended redesign, as described in the Cycle Atlanta Plan (remember that?), you should expect lots of extra space leading to VERY fast car traffic (despite the nearby high-density housing and MARTA bus service on the corridor).

We've already spilled plenty of pixels over this issue, and are exploring ways to hold the City accountable to legislation adopted by City Council.

What was planned

Image: Cycle Atlanta Plan

What it looks like now 

Photo: Propel ATL

Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW (West Lake to Chappell)

This city street with an off-again, on-again bike/scoot lane was also resurfaced recently. We’ll start with a technicality: yes, there’s a “Bike Lane Ends” sign. Points for that. But what happens next? The lane simply disappears, dropping riders directly into traffic with no taper, no transition, and no real clue what to do next. It’s the kind of design that checks a box without actually solving the problem. A sign alone isn’t a plan.

Photo: Propel ATL

Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW

There's a lot to like on Abernathy (west of Cascade Rd), but a few details fall short. A bike lane shows up along the corridor, even protected by parking in places, but like we’ve seen elsewhere, it doesn’t quite commit. No clear beginning, no clear end, and no reinforcement at the places where it matters most—near bus stops, intersections, and turning conflicts. It works… until it doesn’t. And that inconsistency is exactly what makes it hard to trust.

Photo: Propel ATL

With so much going on, what did we overlook? Let us know!