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Olympic Marathon Trials to force street closures on Saturday, Feb. 29

A number of streets in Downtown and Midtown will begin closing early Saturday morning and remain closed all day.

ATLANTA — The US Olympic Team Trials - Marathon are set for the streets of Atlanta on Saturday, Feb. 29 beginning at 12 noon.

Quite a few streets will be closed in parts of Downtown and Midtown Atlanta to accommodate the Marathon, as its 26.2-mile course snakes its way through some of the city's most historic and visually stunning neighborhoods.

You'll be able to watch the marathon on 11Alive on Saturday at 12 noon. 

RELATED: U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials to be hosted in Atlanta

Road Closures

Motorists who head downtown on that day will face traffic nightmares as they try to navigate the streets of downtown and midtown Atlanta, but we have a full list of what streets will be closed so that you can navigate around the city on that day.

Of course, the best way to get around the city will be on MARTA, as multiple train stations will provide access to visitors throughout the city.

RELATED: How do I get around on MARTA? | A guide

In addition to street closures, a number of exits from the Downtown Connector (I-75/85) in both directions, as well as I-20, will be closed to traffic as a result of the race, which will cause additional traffic tie-ups and significant delays for motorists.

Everyone is advised to use MARTA when and where possible.

These street closures are subject to change, but here's a list of what is expected to be closed on race day:

Downtown/Centennial Olympic Park Area from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

  • Marietta Street from Ivan Allen Jr Boulevard to Peachtree Street

  • Andrew Young International Boulevard from Centennial Olympic Park Drive to Marietta Street

Peachtree Street from 7th Street to 14th Street from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

  • North & Southbound traffic beginning at 9:00 a.m. and will remain closed until 3:30 p.m.

Main race loop – Full road closures from 1 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

  • Forsyth Street from Marietta Street to Peachtree Street

  • Walton Street from Peachtree Street to Forsyth Street

  • Peachtree Street from Forsyth to S. Rhodes Center/Peachtree Circle

  • Ralph McGill Boulevard from Peachtree Street to Piedmont Road

  • Piedmont Avenue to Baker-Highland Avenue

  • Highland Avenue from Piedmont Avenue to Jackson Boulevard 

  • Jackson Boulevard from Highland Avenue to Edgewood Avenue

  • Edgewood Avenue from Jackson Street to Marietta Street

Lower race loop – Full road closures from 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

  • Piedmont Avenue to Capitol Avenue

  • Capitol Avenue SE from Piedmont Road to Fulton Street and 1 block south of Fulton

  • Martin Luther King Jr Drive SW to Centennial Olympic Park Drive

  • Centennial Olympic Park Drive from Martin Luther King Jr Drive SW to Andrew Young Intl Boulevard 

Interstate Exit Ramp Closures

Interstate exit ramp closures from 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

  • I-85/75 northbound - 249B (Pine St/Peachtree Street)

  • I-85/75 northbound - 248B (Edgewood Ave)

  • I-20 westbound - 58A (Capitol Ave)

MARTA Rail service

  • Rail service will begin at 5:50 a.m. on Saturday
  • Exit at Peachtree Center, Dome, Five Points, or Georgia State rail stations for the best view of the Olympic Marathon Team Trials
  • The Atlanta Streetcar will operate on Saturday from 3:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. 

MARTA Bus service

  • The following bus routes will be re-routed for the Olympic trials on Saturday: 2, 3, 21, 26, 27, 36, 37, 40, 42, 49, 55, 102, 107, 110, 186, 813, 816, 899.

  • All other bus service will operate on regular weekend schedules.

  • MARTA Mobility service will not be impacted.

  • Bus re-route information is available on www.itsmarta.com.

Additional notes

  • No street parking permitted on the course route beginning 8:00 a.m. on Feb. 29. No Parking signs/cones will be placed in these locations as a notification 48 hours prior to race day (Thursday, Feb. 27). Any vehicles on the course after 8:00 a.m. on Feb. 29 will be towed.

  • Atlanta Streetcar will not be in service from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  • Downtown area hotels and businesses – vehicles can exit the downtown area via Ellis Street to access Freedom Parkway and the I-85/75 north and south connectors. Vehicles can enter Downtown from the north via I-85/75 southbound exit 249A (Courtland Ave/Freedom Parkway) and can enter from the south via northbound exit 248C (International Blvd/SR 101/Freedom Pkwy).

  • Plan for significant traffic delays. Use MARTA if possible.

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