Two-Way Conversions Set to Begin on Three Midtown Streets
This month construction kicks off to change 13th Street to two-way, with others to follow
Published: 09/05/19
The lines, they are a-changin.’
This September, construction will commence on the first of three Midtown streets that are being converted to two-way operation, a project that will make transportation in the district safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Work will kick off late this month to repave and re-stripe 13th Street, with 3rd and 4th Streets to follow in the coming months.
These segments will be converted to two-way:
- 3rd Street: Spring Street to West Peachtree Street and Peachtree Street to Juniper Street
- 4th Street: Spring Street to Myrtle Street
- 13th Street: Juniper Street to Piedmont Avenue
“Midtown’s unique in that it is one of the few places in the City with a natural street grid,” said Forrest Rose, project manager of transportation and sustainability at Midtown Alliance. “By converting these sections of road from one- to two-way operations we are making the district more accessible to residents, visitors, and workers.”
Astra Group already has been hired to complete the project, which is being funded by the Midtown Improvement District.
Destinations and residential communities along the corridor will still be accessible during the conversion, but thru-traffic is encouraged to consider alternative routes. Signage and detour signage will be posted onsite.
Previously developers resurfaced parts of 13th Street (pictured). This is not related to Midtown Alliance's project.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
But that’s not all. Midtown is also gearing up to add five new traffic signals as part of the Last Mile Safety Project, two new pedestrian signals, and nearly two dozen intersection improvements. Several of the new traffic signals will help facilitate the new two-way traffic along 3rd, 4th, and 13th Streets, which will be installed over the course of the next several months.
After new traffic signals are installed at 3rd and Peachtree St and 4th and Peachtree St, two-way conversions will proceed along these corridors to improve Midtown’s street grid.
These conversions are part of Midtown Alliance’s long term goal to create a safe, vibrant, accessible and multimodal district that is based on a Comprehensive Transportation Study conducted in 2016. Read our Midtown Transportation Plan here.
The changes come at an important time in the district, as development around the streets is at an all-time high.
Earlier this year, the $400 million, 17-story Coda building opened its doors. Currently under construction are the Norfolk Southern Headquarters, the Anthem Technology Center, and the second Anthem tower, which the health insurer reportedly decided to occupy after it needed space for more workers than Coda could provide. Also in the pipeline is the third phase of Tech Square, a $200 million project at 5th and West Peachtree Streets that Georgia Tech is expected to kick off this fall.
These new high-rises will result in thousands of new jobs, and converting the streets surrounding them from one- to two-way operation will ease traffic congestion in this bustling area of Midtown.
Work for the conversions includes milling and resurfacing, striping, signals and, in some cases, hardscaping and curb work. To follow this project’s progress, click here.
