GDOT Pledges Funds to Iconic Peachtree Street Bridges on I-75/85 Connector

November 15,2012

The State Transportation Board voted today to commit $1.7 million in funds towards improvements on the historic Peachtree Street bridges crossing the Connector near the midtown community on the north and Downtown on the south.  The Board unanimously voted to provide this funding from the Department’s existing Interstate Logo program revenue.

“I am very excited to support the efforts of the Midtown Improvement District and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District in improving the quality of the Peachtree Street bridges with better lighting, fencing and landscaping,” Board Member and Gateway Committee Chair Sam Wellborn said after the vote.  “We have been working for the better part of a year on an overall Gateways improvement plan, and this opportunity fit in perfectly with ideas we have for major interstate entrances across Georgia.  Peachtree Street is symbolic of Atlanta, and we are very proud to provide the final funds for this project.”

The Connector handles more than 120 million vehicles annually, presenting a perfect opportunity to highlight Atlanta and Georgia to millions of visitors, residents and businesses each year.  The nearly five mile stretch encompasses 17 overpasses, and the Midtown Improvement District and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District are spearheading efforts for each of these so that the more than 330,000 vehicles using the route each day can benefit from the improvements.

The commitment today by GA DOT, along with partners in the private sector and the Improvement Districts, completes the $5.1 million in total funds required for the two Peachtree Street bridge projects.  Design plans are underway and completion of the project is anticipated to take approximately 24 months.  Planned improvements include lighting above and below the bridges, landscaping, sidewalks and fencing.