Project Profile: 15th Street Extension Project, Atlanta, Georgia

The 15th Street Extension Project is a multimodal connection extending 15th Street from its current end point at West Peachtree Street two blocks west to Williams Street. The project spans 0.16 miles and aims to break up the "superblock" at 15th Street. It will create a new access corridor between West Peachtree Street and Williams Street to relieve traffic pressure on 14th Street. The extension, implemented on Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) right-of-way, will eliminate expensive and time-consuming land acquisition.

The project is set to be constructed in two segments. The proposed design between West Peachtree Street and Spring Street includes a three-lane section consisting of one through-lane in each direction and dedicated left-turn lanes approaching Spring Street and West Peachtree Street. The proposed lane section west of Spring Street includes a single, 11-foot-wide through-lane in each direction.

Plans for the new cross-section also include five-foot tree planting/furniture zones, five-foot sidewalk-level bicycle lanes, and 10-foot sidewalks on both sides of the street. The proposed bicycle lanes will provide a direct connection to the Arts Center Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Station and existing and proposed developments as well as other bicycle routes.

$3.6M

• $188,000 in Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)/Federal funds (design only)
• $1.16M in Midtown Improvement District funds
• $1.25M in City of Atlanta funds (impact fees)
• $1M in GDOT/Federal funds

Midtown Alliance was awarded a grant through ARC for Design/Engineering to extend 15th Street from West Peachtree Street to Williams Street. In partnership with GDOT and the City of Atlanta, a request for qualifications for engineering design services was advertised in June 2017. Jacobs was selected as the lead consultant and design work began in early 2018. GDOT reviewed and approved the environmental and traffic studies and concept design. Preliminary field plans are reviewed and complete, and the final field plans are currently underway. The construction of the extension is forecast to begin in 2021, pending approvals and permitting by authorities.

• Multimodal connection extending 15th Street from its current end point implemented on GDOT right-of-way, eliminating expensive and time-consuming land acquisition.
• Provide better circulation for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians through the Midtown area, and in turn, improve traffic circulation and connectivity for both existing and future developments as well as alleviate traffic congested parallel streets such as 14th and 16th Streets, in particular 14th Street, during the peak traffic periods.
• Bike lanes would provide a direct connection to the Arts Center MARTA Station and existing and proposed developments as well as other bicycle routes.
• Protected bike facilities improve user comfort and safety by providing a dedicated space and encourages use of the bike lane rather than bikes using the sidewalks.
• With the increased number of scooters on the roadways, it is important to create dedicated bike facilities, so scooter riders are encouraged to ride in the bike lanes (as dictated by City ordinance) rather than the sidewalks.

• Midtown Alliance - Project Info Page
• Midtown Alliance - Engagement Response Letter
• Midtown Alliance - Open House Letter
• Midtown Alliance - News Center
• Midtown Alliance - Existing Conditions Report
• Georgia Department of Transportation
• Atlanta Curbed
• Saporta Report