FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2017
MEDIA ALERT
MARTA POLICE RECREATE
TERROR ATTACK DURING GEORGIA’S LARGEST EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EXERCISE
September 30th
Exercise includes Explosions, Simulated Injuries; Modifies Evening Rail
Service
ATLANTA— The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Police Department will host Georgia’s largest emergency preparedness exercise on Saturday, Sept. 30, beginning at 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. the following morning. The full-scale exercise, taking place at MARTA’s Midtown Station, will simulate a crisis
scenario complete with explosions, smoke and actors to help create a realistic setting for first responders.
“These exercises are a critical tool that enable us to assess our response to crisis situations and identify areas for improvements,” said MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker. “The recent terror attack on London’s rail system as well as natural disasters such
as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma underscore the importance of running various scenarios.”
Beginning at 9 p.m. on Sept. 30, service on the north and southbound red or gold rail service lines will be interrupted. MARTA will establish a bus bridge to bypass the exercise. Patrons utilizing the bus bridge will be directed to exit at Arts Center Station or North Avenue Station and board a MARTA bus that will take
them to the next available station.
MARTA officials are contacting local businesses and residents about the planned exercise to minimize confusion and alarm. “Businesses and residents in a five-mile radius of the MARTA Midtown Station may hear loud noises and see heavy police activity
as part of this year’s exercise,” MARTA Police Chief Wanda Dunham said.
MARTA Emergency Preparedness Manager Lieutenant Aston Greene will be available for interviews about the exercise on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Midtown Station.
AT-A-GLANCE:
| What: |
MARTA’s annual full-scale emergency preparedness exercise |
| When: |
September 30, 2017; 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. |
| Where: |
MARTA’s Midtown Station |
| Media Availability: |
Thursday, September 28, 2017; 2 p.m. until 3 p.m., Midtown Station |
| Media Notes: |
Simulated attack to look and sound real with loud explosion and smoke
Actors portraying victims will be in makeup to simulate realistic injuries
No parking allowed at Midtown Station
Rail service for MARTA patrons will be modified to accommodate the exercise
MARTA station agents will assist patrons utilizing the bus bridge |
|
Road Closures: |
In support of the exercise, the following roads will be closed to through traffic:
- Peachtree Place NE from West Peachtree St. NW to Peachtree St. NE beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 30.
- 10th St. NE from West Peachtree St. NW to Peachtree St. NE beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 30.
- Road closures will remain in place until 5 a.m. on Sunday Oct. 1st.
- Limited access will be provided for the Regency Suites parking deck and the Alta Midtown parking deck.
|
MARTA Police Department
Midtown Station(Bus Reroutes/Diverted)
MPD will be sponsoring a Full-Scale Exercise Saturday, September 30, 2017. As part of the exercise, beginning at 7:30 pm Bus Routes 12, 27 & 36 will be rerouted and diverted from Midtown Station to Arts Center Station.
The reroutes will be as follows:
Route #12 from Cumberland Transfer Center to Arts Center Station (Inbound)
Continue regular route to 10th Street and W. Peachtree Street
Left – W. Peachtree St.
Right – 15th St.
Left into Arts Center Station
Route #12 from Arts Center Station to Cumberland Transfer Center (Inbound)
Exit Arts Center Station:
Right – 15th St.
Right – W. Peachtree Rd.
Left – 16th St.
Left – Spring St.
Right – 10th St.
Route #27 from Lindbergh Station to Arts Center Station (Inbound)
Continue regular route to 14th Street and Juniper St.
Cont.: 14th St.
Right – Peachtree St.
Left – 15th St.
Right into Arts Center Station
Route #27 from Arts Center Station to Lindbergh Station (Outbound)
Exit Arts Center Station:
Left – 15th St.
Right – Peachtree Rd.
Left – 14th St.
Route #36 from Decatur Station to Midtown Station (Inbound)
Continue regular route to 10th Street and Peachtree Street
Right - Peachtree St.
Left – 15th St.
Right into Arts Center Station
Route #36 from Arts Center Station to Decatur Station (Outbound)
Exit Arts Center Station
Left – 15th St.
Right – Peachtree Rd.
Left – 10th St.
Regular route
