ATLANTA — Atlanta's Five Points MARTA station could soon have limited access to complete a four-year renovation project, despite protection and even a request from the mayor.
According to the transit system, travelers will be closed to the hub coming off the street beginning July 29. While trains will continue to run through the station, allowing passengers to transfer, there will be limited access to elevators.
This would hinder riders with disabilities, who would then need to use MARTA Mobility shuttles to change direction, adding to their commute.
“Not only is this really inequitable, but it could possibly add up to an hour of my additional transfer process,” Cardin Wyckoff, who uses a wheelchair and travels through the downtown area relying on the Five Points station, said. “They’re not taking into consideration how long it takes to board the shuttle transfer.”
MARTA plans to briefly reopen the station to outside access during the World Cup in 2026.
“Other cities have done major reconstruction projects to stations and maintained pedestrian, bus rider, and ADA access,” Rebecca Serna with Propel ATL said, who has asked MARTA to reconsider its plan. “We believe MARTA can do it too.”
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has expressed his concern. In a letter to MARTA’s General Manager, Collie Greenwood, the mayor asked the transit authority to temporarily halt the Five Points project until the completion of an audit and “consider the impact on the community during construction.”
Read the letter to Greenwood below
MARTA’s General Manager responded with a letter of his own, stating that the project had been approved by the city of Atlanta and the MARTA board. General Manager Collie Greenwood writes that the current plan is “an appropriate solution,” adding, “We will continue to review for possible improvements.”
Read Greenwood's full response to Dickens below
Some believe the disruptions will sour commuters on MARTA.
“I fear over the course of four years people will get a car or some other means, and they’ll stick with that,” said MARTA rider Dejon Tebought.
MARTA said it anticipates allowing limited access to the station prior to finishing renovations in 2028.