Peachtree Street bridge enhancement revealed

September 22,2016

Project Background
Though the City of Atlanta’s transportation infrastructure is a key strength, the condition and experience of the “I-75/85 Connector” from Brookwood to Turner Field belies Atlanta’s position as a leader in transportation, business, and tourism. The 5-mile stretch of highway through Midtown and Downtown Atlanta includes long expanses of pavement, imposing retaining walls, limited landscaping, and a myriad of steel and concrete. Through a series of small and sweeping changes, Midtown Alliance and Central Atlanta Progress/Atlanta Downtown Improvement District joined forces to make one of the most visible corridors in Atlanta more attractive, improving the experience for thousands of citizens who travel the Connector.

Connector Transformation Overview
The first phase of the Connector transformation are the Peachtree Bridge Enhancements that focus on creating new Connector “gateways” at two Peachtree Street Bridges – north and south. The Peachtree Street Bridge at the northern end of Midtown, between the Buford Highway Connector and Deering Road, frames the initial view of Atlanta for motorists traveling south on I-85. The Peachtree Street Bridge at the northern end of Downtown, located between Pine Street and Ivan Allen, Jr. Blvd. is a bookend to the northern bridge.

The bridges feature distinctive design elements, including dramatic gateway arches (north bridge only). New decorative fencing with a back-lit sign announces Peachtree Street, identifying the bridge to motorists passing beneath and paying homage to Atlanta’s signature thoroughfare. New landscaping and lighting along the barrier-separated sidewalks creates a pedestrian friendly environment.

$5.3 million from public and private sources has been raised to fund the phase one projects—the Peachtree Bridge Enhancements.  In addition to funding from ADID and the Midtown Improvement District, generous support has been provided by the Georgia Department of Transportation Gateway Initiative, the State Road and Tollway Authority, Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank and the Woodruff Foundation.

The Downtown Peachtree Street Bridge
The south bridge’s Peachtree Street signage includes a pedestrian-facing exhibition of Gene Phillips’ Atlanta photography, celebrating Downtown’s unique landmarks and amenities: the State Capitol, the Through His Eyes John Wesley Dobbs sculpture, the Centennial Olympic Park Fountain of Rings, the Georgia Aquarium, the Atlanta Streetcar, the Flatiron Building, Polaris at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, the Downtown Daffodil Project planting at the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the SkyView Atlanta ferris wheel and the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel.

About Gene Phillips
Gene Phillips is an Atlanta-based photographer who specializes in capturing the light and vitality of our amazing city. Born and raised in Decatur, Gene traverses the streets of Atlanta with camera in hand to document its diverse people, rich culture, and stately architecture for the Atlanta tourism industry.  He also photographs special events, concerts, weddings, and has recently taken up aerial photography.  Gene considers it a great honor to have his work displayed on the Peachtree Street Bridge, viewed by the thousands of daily travelers, and hopes that this quintessential perspective of his hometown Atlanta will instill in others the same source of pride for our city.