In 2022, Atlanta voters approved major investments in safer streets — sidewalks, safer crossings, and protected infrastructure — through Moving Atlanta Forward.
These weren’t abstract ideas. They were real commitments to make everyday travel safer.
But today, only 13% of safer streets and sidewalk projects have reached the street.
The vast majority remain stuck in planning, design, or early phases, while people continue navigating unsafe conditions every day.
A Clear Pattern Is Emerging
While safety projects stall, the City is moving quickly on something else: resurfacing.
Atlanta has committed $120 million to road resurfacing ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and those projects are moving forward on an accelerated timeline.
Resurfacing matters.
But resurfacing without safety improvements often makes streets more dangerous by creating smoother, faster corridors without adding protections for people walking, rolling, or taking transit.
So this raises a critical question:
Why can we move quickly on resurfacing, but not on the safety projects voters approved?
What gets built, and how fast, reflects the City’s priorities.
What’s Missing Right Now
Across Atlanta, the gaps are clear:
- Sidewalks remain incomplete
- Safe crossings are still missing at high-injury locations
- Bus shelters and rider improvements are delayed
- Accessibility upgrades are not paired with full safety design
These are not extras. They are basic infrastructure that people rely on every day.
This Is a Budget Decision
Right now, Atlanta is in the middle of its annual budget process. Upcoming key dates include:
- May 19: ATLDOT Budget Hearing
- June 1: City Council votes on the budget
The proposed ATLDOT budget is roughly $56 million, slightly lower than last year.
At the same time, we’ve seen the City mobilize $120 million for resurfacing on a short timeline.
This is ultimately a question of investment and capacity.
If Atlanta can mobilize $120 million for resurfacing on a short timeline, it shows what’s possible.
Delivering safety projects at the scale voters approved requires the same level of staffing, funding, and urgency.
The next few weeks will shape what Atlanta builds, and what gets delayed again.
Join the Conversation: Webinar
If you’ve ever waited for a sidewalk, crossed a dangerous street, or wondered why a project hasn’t happened yet, join us for an upcoming webinar where we’ll walk through the findings and talk about what comes next.
What we’ll cover:
- What the data actually shows about project delivery
- How the budget impacts what gets built
- What you can do right now to push for delivery
Dates:
- May 14, 2026: 12 PM & 6 PM
🗓️ Register below:
Safer streets were promised. Join the movement and help organize to build them.