[Downtown Atlanta District Developments]

With the Midtown Cap and the Stitch looking like real possibilities it’s time to think about one that would actually reconnect neighborhoods and drive density. 

 

https://philveasley.com/2022/08/16/reconnecting-communities-east-atlanta-boulevard/

[Traffic Congestion and Highway Construction]

1 hour ago, JHart said:

 I can maybe understand prioritizing the South side over the North side but I don't see any advantage of keeping a portion of an urban freeway when we already acknowledge all of the downsides..

Fair point. End of the day it's still Southern City that's still relatively car-dependent. DOT and probably even the city would never go for it. Not even sure they'll go for removing any of it, even though the benefits are incredible. 

[Traffic Congestion and Highway Construction]

21 minutes ago, JHart said:

Why would you keep the northern segment? It would be much easier to remove the northern segment of 277 and fully develop the blocks between 11th and 12th. 

Several reasons imo:

- connectivity with 16 

- direct route from all 4 directions on the north side

- the need for cohesiveness between Uptown and South end is much greater currently than between Uptown and the north. 
- the south segment is taking up more room than the north segment which is straight and directly in between two blocks 

[Traffic Congestion and Highway Construction]

2 hours ago, jjwilli said:

Agree 110%. Everyone seems to be all on board for the cap idea but as this well put together page calls out, it is very short sighted. Connecting the two pipe foundry parcels and then also having the new Pearl Innovation district directly connected to uptown would be huge for both areas. Let’s hope the city swings for the fences on this one in applying for the federal funds.

I think the cap would be perfect if the option to remove wasn’t there. For example like the Big Dig in Boston where it’s the main highway going right through and removing it would eliminate access. But with the direct route of I-77 to 277 north segment adding no distance at all I’m shocked the idea to remove hasn’t been brought up before. No better time than now to discuss it with the new funding. 

[Traffic Congestion and Highway Construction]

It's time to just remove two sections of I-277 and connect Uptown and South End. Many cities are removing segments of urban freeway. 

https://philveasley.com/2022/07/10/reconnecting-charlotte/