Opening Irwin Street to people and the kind of city we want

Atlanta recently opened Irwin street for pedestrians, cyclists, and will soon open it for transit too! A short segment of Irwin street near Krog Street Market was opened to people and closed to cars in mid-November. This intersection serves as a key transition point for the Streetcar East Extension, which will travel from Martin Luther King Jr. Historic site to Ponce City Market (PCM). It never felt safer for users of the BeltLine eastside trail to move freely about without fear of a deadly interaction with a vehicle when crossing Irwin. Children were running with smiles on their faces, families could enjoy the beautiful fall weather. It was a liberating experience. And for many drivers of cars too- not worrying about hitting someone in what is already a place rich with people on foot and their bikes and scooters.

Irwin Street Closure Map

What does it mean to open streets to people?

It means we prioritize space on our roadways for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit. It recognizes that exclusive use of roadways by cars is not always the best. It helps us achieve our sustainability goals by creating safe spaces to walk and bike.

Why is it so important for transit, including BeltLine rail?

It creates dedicated space for transit, free from being stuck in traffic. We are all aware of the challenges the existing Streetcar faces from cars blocking its path. We need to avoid the same mistakes as we build to and along the BeltLine. Opening Irwin Street permanently will ensure streetcar rail can easily transition onto the BeltLine, creating dedicated space so it does not get stuck in vehicle traffic. This is but the first step addressing the challenges of the Streetcar and turning it into a critical piece of our transportation system.

Copyright: Christopher T Martin

It is true that vehicles had to find alternative routes to navigate around Irwin Street, but there appeared to be little impact to drivers during the trial closure period. The sky did not fall. The neighborhood did not get choked with traffic. The full traffic impact studies will be forthcoming. Furthermore, we need to recognize that we cannot grow as a City and depend on cars as our only way to move around.

This could represent a change in Atlanta’s culture, but only if we seize the moment and make the opening of Irwin Street permanent. This lays the foundation for opening streets to people in the future and returning the use of our roads to pedestrians, cyclists, and transit. As Mayor Andre Dickens recently said at community town hall, “Traffic is caused by people driving alone in cars.” The only way forward is increasing how many folks walk, bike and take transit.

Portland Streetcar passes right through the middle of a newly built plaza at Portland State University, Portland Oregon

All of these possibilities contribute to the making of a new kind of place for Atlanta. One where people make it something it never was before - no mere intersection or crossing but a space full of the life we want to have - with places and spaces oriented to it as a plaza more than a street. A place that draws people to spend time there as well as pass through it.

So… what can you do to help?

Please tell MARTA that Atlanta needs more of these safe spaces by taking the survey on the Irwin Street opening. Tell MARTA your thoughts on making this temporary closure to cars permanent. 

Then forward MARTA’s survey to other Atlanta transit supporters. The survey is open until December 7th and we need everyone in our community to provide feedback!