FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 9, 2023
MARTA BOARD ADVANCES SAFE
ROUTES TO TRANSIT PROJECT
ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid
Transit Authority (MARTA) board of directors today advanced the Safe Routes to
Transit Project, ensuring critical pedestrian infrastructure that connects
people to MARTA is safe and accessible.
“Nearly
every passenger trip begins or ends on the roadside at one of MARTA’s 9,000 bus
stops, and missing sidewalks or unsafe crossings can create real barriers to
mobility for our customers,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie
Greenwood. “Safe Routes to Transit helps us remove, repair, and replace
crumbling infrastructure so riders can get to and from the bus and other MARTA
services safely.”
After
site selection and preliminary permitting coordination phases, MARTA will
address pedestrian safety at high ridership bus stops, providing high
visibility crosswalks, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps, curb
extensions, medians and refuge islands, and pedestrian beacons, among other
improvements. The Safe Routes to Transit Project will allow MARTA to provide
safe, accessible connections to existing MARTA service at multiple locations
across three U.S. Congressional Districts.
“MARTA is an essential organ of the Metro Atlanta Area, that’s why I am
proud to support them in their efforts to make traveling safer and more
accessible. The people of the 13th District of Georgia deserve safe
transportation on their way to their destination and I will continue to support
MARTA in their efforts to accomplish that,” said Congressman David Scott
(GA-13).
“My constituents – particularly those with disabilities – who rely on transit to get to work, grocery
shop, visit their doctor or enjoy local entertainment, must have a safe and
reliable way to connect,” said Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04). “I’m proud to
have helped secure funding for MARTA’s Safe Routes to Transit project, which
will make many of my constituents’ commutes both safer and more accessible.”
Congresswoman
Nikema Williams (GA-05) said, “Safe pedestrian access is crucial to riding
transit. MARTA’s Safe Routes to Transit program will break down barriers to
transportation equity. I’m proud to support this crucial project and secured $1
million in Community Project Funding so MARTA can build truly accessible and
equitable transportation for everyone.”
Additionally,
Safe Routes to Transit will support pedestrian infrastructure needs coming from
MARTA’s Bus Network Redesign. The redesign has moved through discovery and
engagement processes and is currently in the design phase, where planners are
working to ensure MARTA’s future bus service will serve the greatest number of
customers efficiently, and that includes safely connecting people to transit
service.
The
fiscal year 2024 budget for this project is $6.7 million, with 80 percent or $1
million each secured by Representatives David Scott, Hank Johnson, and Nikema
Williams. Twenty percent will come from MARTA’s Capital Programs budget, and
the remainder from the Transportation Improvement Program Surface
Transportation Block Grant.
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