Decatur's Complete Streets Project Nearly Done After Decade Wait

West Howard Avenue's transformation from a high-speed drag strip into a people-friendly complete street is finally wrapping up. The project includes two-way cycle tracks with concrete barriers and new sidewalks stretching from Decatur High School to East Lake MARTA station. This has been in the works for nearly 10 years, so seeing it come together is pretty exciting for anyone who's had to navigate that corridor on foot or bike.

After nearly a decade of planning and almost a year of construction, Decatur's ambitious Complete Streets project on West Howard Avenue is finally coming together. The roughly one-mile stretch between Commerce Drive (near Decatur High School) and the city limits at Paden Circle has been completely reimagined with protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and traffic calming measures.

The centerpiece is a two-way cycle track with concrete barriers that should make cycling between downtown Decatur and East Lake MARTA station much safer. Anyone who's tried to bike or walk along West Howard knows it was basically a highway before, with cars flying through at dangerous speeds. The new design forces drivers to slow down while giving pedestrians and cyclists actual protection.

This project represents Decatur's commitment to becoming more walkable and bikeable, especially as the city continues to grow and traffic gets worse. It's also a key connection point for people trying to get to MARTA without driving, which is increasingly important as gas prices hit $4 a gallon. The timing couldn't be better with Atlanta's ongoing transit expansion and the push for more sustainable transportation options.