Official Launch of Portman Blvd PATH Protected Bike Lane Held Downtown
November 16,2016
Portman Blvd PATH Protected Bike Lane
#PortmanPATH, #BeDowntown
Project Background
The City of Atlanta is setting ambitious goals to offer a variety of safe and convenient means to get around town. To meet those goals, the City is building a network of bicycle infrastructure that will offer high-quality bike routes to attract cyclists. Adding to the momentum, the City appointed its first Chief Bicycle Officer in 2015 and earlier this year, launched the Relay Bike Share program in Downtown.
Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (CAP/ADID) are working with the City of Atlanta to implement improvements to Downtown's street network to make cycling in the city core easier and safer and to encourage more foot and 2-wheeled travel in Downtown. The road map for this interconnected network is the City of Atlanta’s Cycle Atlanta plan that details the 5 key north-south and east-west corridors that comprise 31 miles of additional facilities.
One of these projects is the John Portman Jr. Boulevard PATH, a separated two-way bike lane that connects Centennial Olympic Park to the PATH Foundations’ Freedom Parkway and Stone Mountain trails – spanning 17 miles of separated bike paths.
Project Overview
The PATH Foundation, in conjunction with CAP/ADID and adjacent private property owners, collaborated to build the “Portman PATH” along John Portman Jr. Boulevard, from Piedmont Avenue to Centennial Olympic Park Drive. This project converted the northernmost curb lane of Portman Boulevard, previously a vehicular travel lane, to a granite-curb protected in-street cycling path that provides bi-directional travel for cyclists.
Construction began in August 2014 and also included enhancements to the abutting streetscape. Concluding in late summer 2016, the project installed new sidewalks, storm water infrastructure, LED streetlights, landscaping, curb to curb roadway resurfacing and a high-quality bike path, creating a complete street environment. Now completed, the Portman PATH is a critical link between the existing PATH systems from the east to Centennial Olympic Park, a significant Downtown destination.
Another remarkable feature of this project is the intersecting bike lanes at Portman Boulevard and Peachtree Center Avenue. The intersection is a key network connection allowing users to travel on a separated bike lane in any cardinal direction. This is the first-ever bi-directional bike lane intersection in the world.
The project was made possible in part by the support of property owners along the corridor who financially contributed to the project. In particular, AmericasMart, Banyan Street Capital (Peachtree Center) and RCG Properties are to be commended for their commitments and cooperation.
Additional Information
The Tech Parkway-Luckie Street separated path, currently under construction, will converge on Centennial Olympic Park from the west. Together with the Portman Boulevard project, these investments solidify Centennial Olympic Park’s role as the hub in the “hub and spoke” network of paths that the PATH Foundation is building to connect metro Atlanta in all directions – north, south, east and west.
Funding
Total project cost: $3,051,659.86
PATH: $1,690,871.94
CAP/ADID: $729,162.71
Property Owners: $408,625.21
City of Atlanta Renew Atlanta Bond: $223,000.00
Questions?
Contact Jennifer Ball at 404-522-3344 or jball@atlantadowntown.com
Wesley Brown at 404-Office 404.658.5983 or wbrown@atlantadowntown.com
About the PATH Foundation
PATH's mission is to plan and build a network of connected greenway trails throughout Georgia for the purpose of commuting and recreating. PATH has made significant progress toward building Georgia a network of trails, including: The Silver Comet, Stone Mountain, Lionel Hampton, South Peachtree Creek, Westside, Arabia Mountain, Chastain Park, Whetstone Creek, and South River Trails. The Foundation maintains over 180 miles of off-road trails. www. pathfoundation.org
About Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District
Central Atlanta Progress, Inc. (CAP), founded in 1941, is a private nonprofit community development organization providing leadership, programs and services to preserve and strengthen the economic vitality of Downtown Atlanta. With a board of directors of Downtown’s top business leaders, CAP is funded through the investment of businesses and institutions.
The Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID), founded in 1995 by Central Atlanta Progress, is a public-private partnership that strives to create a livable environment for Downtown Atlanta. With a board of directors of nine private- and public-sector leaders, ADID is funded through a community improvement district. Working side by side, CAP and ADID are committed to creating a thriving Downtown Atlanta community for all of its property owners, employees, residents, students and visitors. www.atlantadowntown.com