Earlier this spring, the Georgia Department of Transportation made quick work of adding a new two-way cycle track on 14th Street that—naturally in Atlanta—wasn’t welcomed by everyone. But a few weeks later, there’s no denying changes have calmed traffic and opened up multimodal connectivity in logical ways.
The roadway reconfiguration along 14th Street (also known as Georgia State Route 9) spans 1.1 miles, combining with existing wide sidewalks to link Midtown’s core residential and commercial district with Home Park and (almost) the growing West Midtown section that includes The Interlock district and Star Metals.
Spanning between Barnes Street and Northside Drive, the buffered bike lanes are situated on the north side of 14th Street. Most of the roadway was changed from four lanes (two through-lanes in each direction) to two lanes with a left-turn lane at intersections.
The raised, consistent concrete barrier lends a sense of separation and comfort on two wheels. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Previously, the stretch of 14th Street in question averaged two pedestrian crashes and one documented bicyclist crash per year, in addition to 16 left-turn crashes.
According to GDOT’s estimates, the changes will reduce all crashes on the section of 14th Street in question by nearly 50 percent. Additional safety measures include Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at crossings for people on foot and bike.
The project introduces a safer means of getting across the Connector for non-drivers the area has always lacked. Before, GDOT tabulated that 42 percent of bicyclists who chose to ride 14th Street rode on the sidewalks.
Approaching the Al-Farooq Mosque in Home Park, at right. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
A boy on a skateboard riding the downhill lanes in Home Park (disconcertingly near oncoming traffic). Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
GDOT planning documents indicate more roadway reconfigurations are to come on 14th Street. Plans call for completing the project between Northside Drive and Howell Mill Road—with medians and pedestrian mid-block crossings included—sometime in 2028.
Find a quick photo tour of the entire 14th Street project, from west to east, in the gallery above.
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