Atlanta’s Jackson Street Bridge to Undergo Improvements

One of Atlanta’s most photographed landmarks is set for a transformation. The Jackson Street Bridge, known for its skyline views will soon undergo major improvements aimed at enhancing safety, accessibility and connectivity.

City officials, including council member Liliana Bakhtiari, will host a groundbreaking ceremony at 9 a.m. on July 9 to mark the beginning of the $600,000 upgrade. The project includes expanding the pedestrian area, adding ADA-accessible park features and constructing a protected bike lane that will link the Freedom Parkway Trail to the Baker-Highland Trail.

Bakhtiari, a vocal advocate for the project, helped secure funding through a combination of Renew Atlanta funds and a $300,000 reallocation from her office’s discretionary budget.

The initiative, in planning since 2014, also gained momentum through support from the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District and the Department of City Planning’s Placemaking Program.

The redesign will reconfigure existing traffic and bike lanes, introduce raised planters and include seating and possibly bike racks, providing both form and function for residents and tourists. Renderings from the Atlanta Department of Transportation show improvements beginning just south of the bridge at Cain Street.

The bridge’s narrow sidewalk has long raised safety concerns. In 2018, two men filming a music video were struck by a vehicle, highlighting the urgent need for change, according to a report from Fox 5 Atlanta. Officials say the new layout will create a safer environment for the thousands who visit the bridge each year.

The project is expected to be completed before Atlanta hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

Source: Fox 5 Atlanta, Hoodline.com