Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard Corridor Improvements

Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard Corridor Improvements

The Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard corridor project is an arterial improvement to redesign, reconstruct and connect the current discontinuous three streets - Jones Street, Simpson Street and Alexander Street -into one improved transportation corridor to facilitate east-west traffic movement through north Downtown. The project previously known as the JSA corridor – named for the existing street segments involved – was recently renamed to honor former City of Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr.

Plans involve converting the one-way sections of Alexander Street to a continuous two-way corridor, reconstructing and improving the entire transportation corridor between Northside Drive and West Peachtree Street with wider sidewalks, improved pedestrian access, enhanced transit mobility and bike lanes. Corridor upgrades include intersection redesign for pedestrian crossing and signal efficiency, medians where appropriate, pedestrian and street lighting, utility relocation, sidewalks, bike lanes, enhanced transit stops and linkages (rail and bus). Design elements include:

• Four 11’ travel lanes continuously from Northside Drive to West Peachtree Street.
• In some locations there will be a raised median of varying width to protect dedicated left turn lanes at key intersections. The right-of-way width varies from 84’ to 108’.
• A 5’ bike lane on both sides of the street.
• A 5’ landscape strip on both sides of the street.
• 10’ sidewalks continuously along both sides of the street.

Goals for the corridor improvements include: improve traffic congestion and mobility by encouraging auto alternatives (walking, cycling, intra-district transit) and improve traffic flow (especially to/from the expanded Georgia World Congress Center, the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola development); enhance air quality, safety, employee attraction and retention; improve mobility and access for predominantly minority, transit dependent commuters; encourage mixed use development and redevelopment; proactive enhancement and protection of major regional employment center.

The corridor project is a result of the transportation planning efforts of the Central Atlanta Transportation Study (CATS) sponsored by Central Atlanta Progress. Completed in December 1999 the CATS transportation plan for Downtown Atlanta recommended the corridor project as a means of increasing east-west mobility through the northern portions of Downtown. Implementation of the corridor improvements project has been a joint effort of Central Atlanta Progress, the City of Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, as well as members of the CATS stakeholder group.

Design work and construction documentation has been completed by the URS Corporation. A construction contract for Phase I from West Peachtree Street to Luckie Street has been let by GDOT to C.W. Matthews. A notice to proceed was issued in December 2004 and the work will take 12 months to complete coinciding with the opening of the Georgia Aquarium. Phase II construction from Luckie Street to Northside Drive is expected to follow during the following year. The total cost of improvements is estimated at $13.3 million dollars. Funding for the project is being provided by the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority through a state bond issue. Matching funds are being contributed by the City of Atlanta Quality of Life bond issue and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District.