Transit

Atlanta Streetcar. Source: Wikemedia Commons

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed wants to hand MARTA the keys to the Atlanta Streetcar, according to Fox 5.

“Because of MARTA’s history of service and its talent, we think this is the right thing to do considering we’re funding the MARTA system $2.6 billion,” Reed told Fox 5.

Operations could be transferred within two months. Reed told Fox 5 the “next step” is to connect the streetcar to the Beltline.  For the full story, click here.

A MARTA train passes over the mural at the corner of Dekalb Ave. and Arizona Ave. on Thursday, April 17, 2014. File Photo by Jonathan Phillips

By Ellie Ritter, contributor 

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is taking a new approach to improving their system: art.

According to a MARTA press release, the organization is launching a new program aimed at aesthetically enhancing its stations and integrating art across the rail system. To launch their arts program, MARTA will host an inaugural kickoff event at the Five Points MARTA Station, located at 30 Alabama St. SW in Atlanta, on Monday, June 19.

The art-focused event, which begins at 2 p.m. and is open to the public, will include performances from Moving in the Spirit dance company and cellist Jenn Cornell accompanied by Emrah Kotan, according to the release. At the end, the company will unveil the new logo for the arts program.

Last year, MARTA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to invest in transit-center art in order to improve the overall customer experience throughout the system, the release said. Now, 1 percent of MARTA’s annual budget is allocated for “art-related programs, art-focused community activities and system-wide art restoration projects,” according to the release.

“From mosaics to murals, we are redefining the ridership experience here at MARTA by intentionally integrating art throughout the entire system,” General Manager/CEO Keith Parker said. “This new commitment to the arts allows us to engage our customers in a bold, exciting and often entertaining new way.”

MARTA began developing the arts program in December 2016, when they hired Arts Administrator Katherine Dirga to curate and oversee the transit systems’ program. Since then, MARTA has sought to include commissioned art pieces as well as the performing arts to engage the “region’s diverse artistic community.”

“We are literally watching art come to life as we restore a number of existing transit station art pieces throughout the system,” Dirga, who previously served as manager of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport’s arts program, said. “Our approach is to install high-quality, captivating pieces that transcend various artistic genres and reflect, in some way, the vibrancy and history of the community.”

An Atlanta mural bike rack. Photo obtained via Facebook

By Ellie Ritter, contributor

On Sunday, June 11, Atlanta Streets Alive will come to the Westside neighborhood for the very first time. The event, an initiative of Atlanta Bicycle Coalition (ABC), kicks off at 4 p.m. and lasts until 8 p.m, according to an ABC press release. A four-mile stretch of Howell Mill Road. and Marietta Street will be closed to cars.

Atlanta Streets Alive invites Atlantans to walk, bike, skate or roll on two of Atlanta’s popular streets for an afternoon with no cars around. The event’s goal is to allow residents to “explore community streets in a safer, healthier, more livable way,” according to their website.

The event kicks off at 4 p.m. with the Great Bicycle Parade, which is open to participants of all ages and starts downtown. Afterward, attendees can walk along the route and enjoy family-friendly activities. It will take place in conjunction with the Atlanta Cycling Festival.

ABC is also inviting local businesses and organizations to get involved, taking the opportunity to connect with their community in a new, personal way, the release said. Any organization or group can host one of the many free activities along the route as an “Activity Partner.”

Additionally, businesses along the route can extend onto the sidewalk by setting up cafe tables or displays. To learn more about this opportunity or to sign up, click here.

The featured activities include:

• Artist Showdown: Two artists going head-to-head on 6’ X 6’ canvases
• Face painting
• A mini-race demo of Adult Size Big Wheels
• Live music
• Line Dance and Zumba classes

For more details of this weekend’s Atlanta Streets Alive, and to view the route map, learn more about logistics, and explore ABC’s Atlanta Streets Alive initiative visit their website.

For more details about the parade’s meeting location and theme, visit the Facebook page.

The Krog Street tunnel. Photo obtained via Wikimedia Commons.

Atlanta BeltLine Inc. is hosting two public meetings in June to give updates about the progress of the Eastside Trail Extension and the project as a whole.

The extension will require closure of the Krog Street Tunnel during the day, ABI says.

“Krog Street tunnel will be temporarily closed for construction of the Eastside Trail Extension,” a press release from ABI says. “The northbound closure is scheduled for June 12-30. The southbound closure is scheduled for July 1-21. Closures will take place between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Traffic control devices and detour routes will be established. Hand rails and lighting will be installed during the closure. Emergency repairs to the speed table on Irwin Street and the Eastside Trail will require a temporary closure of Irwin Street between Sampson Street NE and Krog Street.”

There will be a meeting to discuss that project on June 1 at 6:30 p.m. It will be held at Trees Atlanta, located at 225 Chester Avenue, SE, Atlanta, GA 30316.

The ABI quarterly update will take place on June 6  at 6 p.m. at Park Tavern, located at 500 10th Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. Here are the flyers for each meeting:

QB Flyer – June 6, 2017

Northeast + Southeast Study Group – EST Krog and Irwin 6.1.17

Photo provided by MARTA

By Ellie Ritter, contributor 

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) officially opened the fully renovated Reduced Fare and Lost and Found offices at the Five Points Station on May 17.

The facility’s upgrades include increased waiting area space, expanded seating capacity and clearer, more prominent signage to improve customers’ experience, according to MARTA’s press release.

“Our new Reduced Fare Office now offers the needed upgrades to adequately accommodate our customers with disabilities and senior riders,” MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker said. “This brighter, user-friendly facility is outfitted with an all new HVAC system, security system as well as individual privacy window service.”

The new office will give MARTA users who need reduced fares a second option. Eligible senior citizens, people with disabilities and Medicare cardholders can now apply for reduced fare Breeze cards at both the Five Points Station and the MARTA Headquarters at Lindbergh, according to the press release.

Members of the MARTA Accessibility Committee (MAC) helped plan and develop the newly redeveloped office space.

“From the increased lighting for the visually impaired to additional seating for the disabled, it is pleasing to see that the MARTA team put extra care into the small details,” MAC Chairman Roderick Parker said.

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition

By Mary Margaret Stewart, Assistant Editor of Decaturish.com

The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is gearing up to help locals get involved in city politics with a Rolling Town Hall.

Hosted on Saturday, May 20, city residents can “with [Atlanta] mayoral, city council and school board candidates… and bike alongside them.”

Rolling Town Hall starts at 9 a.m., when each of the candidates will deliver a statement about their transportation platform.

After the bike ride, attendees can enjoy “food, music and festivities” through 12:30 p.m.

The event starts and ends at Atlanta City Hall, located at 68 Mitchell St. SW, Atlanta, Ga. 30303.

For more information or to RSVP, check out: www.facebook.com/events/1281324118624255/.

Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry speaks at May 1, 2017 media briefing. Photo by Cedric Mohr, provided by GDOT.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that a burned out portion of I-85 at Piedmont Road will reopen on Monday.

That puts the project weeks ahead of schedule. The original deadline was June 15. Crews have been working quickly to repair the road following a March 30 fire.

But the investigation into how the fire started will continue. The Georgia Department of Transportation faced tough questions about the storage of materials under the bridge. Police allege Basil Eleby started the fire after a conversation about smoking crack under the interstate. GDOT stored high-density polyethylene and fiberglass conduit under the bridge. GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry said these materials were left over from a 2007 project that was cancelled after the contractor was found to be in default.

The materials were first placed at the intersection of Sydney Marcus Boulevard and Buford Highway before being moved under I-85 at Piedmont Road in 2011, he said.

He said GDOT is cooperating fully with investigators and said he personally notified the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials about this in case other transportation departments want to review their policies about storing materials. He asked the state fire marshal for assistance in reviewing the state DOT’s storage policies. The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the incident.

A MARTA train passes over the mural at the corner of Dekalb Ave. and Arizona Ave. on Thursday, April 17, 2014. File Photo by Jonathan Phillips

MARTA’s ready to make a deal.

The Transit Authority is offering discounted two-day passes and discounted 30 day passes beginning this month. The price of the 30-day passes is dropping to $71 from $95, MARTA says.

Here are the full details from MARTA:

ATLANTA—The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) just made commuting easier to enjoy with discounted two-day, unlimited weekend passes and discounted 30-day passes beginning in May.

For $10.50 each, the “Ride The Weekend” Pass provides individuals and families unlimited rides on MARTA buses and trains on Saturdays and Sundays. Passes will be on sale until June 30, 2017, but customers can use them on any weekend of their choice.

“Weekends in Atlanta offer a full range of activities and attractions that MARTA customers now have even more reason to take advantage of,” said MARTA GM/CEO Keith T. Parker. “Our array of discounted fares helps get more people more places across our service area while expanding opportunities for riders that’s affordable for family and friends to enjoy.”

MARTA will also sell discounted 30-day unlimited passes for only $71, saving MARTA customers 25 percent off the regular price. The 30-day unlimited passes will be on sale from May 17 until May 31, 2017 and can be used at any time.

“These promotions help us attract area tourists and encourage infrequent riders to use the system during sporting events, festivals and other local points of interest,” Parker said.

MARTA currently offers unlimited 2-Day passes for $14 and 30-day unlimited passes for $95. Customers can purchase the 25 percent discounted passes at the Five Points and airport RideStores, Breeze card vending machines and on the Breeze card website at www.breezecard.com. No discount codes are required.