Mayor Andre Dickens and Department of Transportation Commissioner Josh Rowan unveiled a $12 million pedestrian safety plan for Downtown Atlanta on Thursday, responding to data showing a 25 percent increase in pedestrian-involved crashes in the district over the past year. The plan targets the most dangerous intersections along Peachtree Center Avenue, Marietta Street, and Andrew Young International Boulevard.
Immediate changes include reducing speed limits to 25 mph on all Downtown streets, installing raised crosswalks at 14 intersections, adding pedestrian-priority signal timing at 22 intersections, and upgrading street lighting along three key corridors. Longer-term improvements include curb extensions, dedicated bus boarding islands, and the removal of slip lanes that allow right-turning vehicles to bypass signals.
Central Atlanta Progress CEO A.J. Robinson said the plan aligns with the organization's goal of making Downtown Atlanta the most walkable district in the Southeast. "You can't build a vibrant urban core if people don't feel safe walking to dinner or crossing the street to catch a show," Robinson said. Construction on the first phase is expected to begin in June.