February 2008

Downtown Commuters Traveling through Midtown Atlanta:TRAVEL ALERT – Techwood Drive in Midtown Closes this Saturday, February 9th

Techwood Drive will be closed between 16th Street and 10th Street starting this Saturday February 9th, 2008. Techwood Drive is the roadway that runs southbound, parallel to I-75/85 on the west side and carries ramp traffic that exits from both I-75 and I-85 at the 10th/14th Street exits. The closure is a necessary part of the ongoing replacement of the 14th Street Bridge, which is being widened to better accommodate vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. 

Starting February 9th, Techwood Drive will be closed until summer 2009.  Please make note of the following ramp closures and alternate routes:

Exit 84 - I-85 Southbound ramp to 17th/14th/10th Streets:  All I-85 traffic using Exit 84 will be required to take the 17th Street ramp. At the end of the ramp, turn left and cross the 17th Street bridge to access Midtown, or turn right to reach Atlantic Station, Northside Drive and locations farther west.

Exit 250 - I-75 Southbound ramp to 14th/10th Streets will be blocked at 16th Street:  As an alternate route into Midtown, exit I-75 at Northside Drive (Exit 252), turn right, and then left onto either 17th Street or 10th Street.

Special Notes:

• 16th Street will remain open to traffic that has exited I-75 southbound at the 10th/14th Street exit. No parking will be permitted along 16th Street during construction.
• Electronic message signs will remind commuters of the closures and alternate routes during the first few days of this traffic pattern change.

Regular traffic levels and patterns on unaffected streets may be altered within Downtown and particularly Midtown due to these construction activities associated with the 14th Street Bridge project.  Even if you are a Downtown commuter whose route is not directly affected by the Techwood Drive street closure and detours within Midtown, we still encourage you to explore your options for getting to and from your destinations. This is a great opportunity to try new commuting options including carpooling, vanpooling, taking MARTA rail or bus, trying a suburban express bus service, biking, walking and adjusting your travel time through alternative work arrangements. 

For all travelers:  please allow extra time to reach your destinations and take advantage of the traveler information resources available through www.511ga.org and www.itsmarta.com. 

For more information about this project please go to www.14thstreetbridge.com. 
For information about commuting options, including how to get your Downtown employer involved, please call the Downtown TMA at 404-658-1877. To receive other updates like this in the future, please sign up for the Downtown Navigator www.atlantadowntown.com/TransParkingAdvisories.asp.