ATLANTA — MARTA’s Director of Facilities says the transit agency is actively looking for ways to address the concerns of travelers who have complained about renovation plans for the Five Points Station.
Transit advocates and Mayor Andre Dickens have voiced concerns about plans to close street access during the project, which is expected to last four years. MARTA’s Keli Davis, who has been meeting with advocates regularly, says engineers are actively looking for a way to keep at least one entrance open during construction.
“We are pivoting certain things,” said Davis. “We are working with our engineering team and the contractor to keep one entrance open. To re-engineer it does take time, but we’re working on it.”
Dejon Tebought lives around the corner from the Five Points station. He’s among the commuters who have complained about the current plan.
“I know there are other options they can consider even if it delays the end of the project,” said Tebought. “I think it’s important to keep some access open all the time.”
Davis took 11Alive on a tour of the Five Points Station to explain what would happen in the early stages of the renovations. Crews will dismantle the heavy concrete canopy and portions of four heavy beams piece by piece. Temporary support beams will be in place.
The challenge with allowing street access is getting travelers safely around all of the heavy work.
The current plan is to close street access beginning July 29. Kelli Davis says reengineering a portion of the project will take time, and opening one entrance may not happen until sometime after July 29.
“I’m confident that we can get it done,” said Davis. “It just takes some engineering.”
MARTA is also looking at adding a temporary elevator to help travelers with disabilities during construction.