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The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will close its Airport Station for six weeks from Monday, April 8 through Sunday, May 19 to renovate the concourse and platform levels.
Fortunately, MARTA service will continue to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport via a bus shuttle between College Park Station and the North Terminal Lower Level, downstairs from North Baggage Claim, 22 hours a day, 4 a.m. to 2 a.m.
MARTA officials told individuals during a press conference on March 29 to allow an extra 30 minutes when taking MARTA to the airport.
During the renovation period, MARTA will remove and replace the floor tiles on both the concourse and platform levels at the station as well as prepare the site for the new canopy structure.
The Airport Station Project is designed to improve the safety and appearance of the concourse and platform levels of the rail station that connects to the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The station is served by the Red and Gold Lines and is one of MARTA’s busiest rail stations with approximately 11,000 daily customers.
The project is part of MARTA’s approximately $1B multi-year Station Rehabilitation Program and primarily paid for with State of Good Repair Funds in the Capital budget. The total project cost estimates around $55 million.
Other airport station improvements include:
- New RideStore
- Public art installation
- Replacement of all signage
- Renovation of employee areas
- New canopy complementing Airport canopy
- New wall cladding, ceilings, and lighting in concourse
- Rehabilitation of existing elevator and installation of new elevator
This six-week station closure is necessary to ensure the safety of both customers and workers while also significantly reducing the overall construction time by 17 months.
Additional impacts to complete the project include nightly closures planned for 10 months in 2025 as well as a potential second six-week closure at the end of construction to install the new canopy structure. MARTA began station rehabilitation work at the Airport Station in June 2022. To date, construction teams have completed structural work in preparation for the new elevator installation, replaced the south vestibule and progressed electrical upgrades.
MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood said MARTA is on the midst of their most ambitious capital expansion program ever in the history of MARTA.
“It’s worthy we’re standing here to talk about that type of work we’ve been doing which includes expanding high-capacity transit lines, brining on new trains, new buses, improving our stations, and our refurbishment,” he said. “We have more than 11,000 people who fly in on a daily basis from international destinations all over the world.”
Greenwood said it’s also about the people that are in Atlanta day in and day out who depend on the vital connection to get to and from destinations, which is MARTA.
“This is the first impression for many people coming into the city and coming into this country and we think it’s very important we maintain the standard of caring that people have become accustomed to,” he said.
“As we continue to serve as a vital hub for global travel, the upcoming renovations at MARTA’s Airport Station reflect our joint commitment to enhancing the travel experience,” Atlanta Airport General Manager Balram “B” Bheodari said. “We fully support this upgrade, encouraging our airport community to plan accordingly by allowing extra time for travel. The availability of shuttle service ensures uninterrupted access, and we are grateful for everyone’s cooperation and patience during this transformative time.”
Other key tips beginning April 8:
· If you’re flying out or heading to work at the airport, travel to College Park Station as you normally would and follow the signs for the shuttle to the airport. The shuttle will drop you at the North Terminal Lower Level – Doors LN1 and LN2 – conveniently located near the employee entrance.
· If you’re flying in or heading home from your job at the airport, follow the signs to Ground Transportation and North Baggage Claim, and take the stairs, escalator, or elevator down to the North Terminal Lower Level – Doors LN1 and LN2 – to catch the shuttle to College Park Station.
· Delta customers should follow the signs from South Baggage Claim to North Baggage Claim and the North Terminal Lower Level – Doors LN1 and LN2 – to catch the shuttle to College Park Station.
· International arrivals: Follow signs to Ground Transportation and take the airport shuttle to the Domestic Terminal. From there, follow the signs to the North Terminal Lower Level – Doors LN1 and LN2 – to catch the shuttle to MARTA’s College Park Station.
MARTA has signs and announcements throughout the rail system and at the airport to alert riders of the temporary rail station closure and bus shuttle service. If you are hosting visitors between April 8 and May 19 who plan to take MARTA from the airport, please advise them to catch the shuttle at the North Terminal Lower Level – Doors LN1 and LN2 – below North Baggage Claim, to connect with College Park Station and the MARTA rail system.
For more information, visit https://itsmarta.com/airport-station-temporary-closure.aspx.
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Isaiah Singleton
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