Construction

Eastside – Ponce Streetscape Project

Ponce De Leon Avenue from Boulevard to Freedom Parkway // Subarea 6

The streetscaping of Ponce De Leon Avenue (State Road 8) extends from Boulevard/Monroe Drive to Freedom Parkway. The primary goal of this project is to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. Work includes the installation of sidewalks, lighting, a ramp to the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail at the northwestern corner of the Ponce De Leon Avenue bridge, a bike lane extension and raised center medians for a portion. New mast arms and signals will be installed at intersections from Boulevard to Ponce De Leon Place and there will be utility relocations throughout the project limits. Length of project is 0.68 miles.

The project is made possible by Atlanta Regional Commission’s Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) grant program. Created as a way to reduce vehicle miles traveled and improve air quality, LCI incentivizes local jurisdictions to re-envision their communities as vibrant, walkable places that offer increased mobility options, encourage healthy lifestyles, and provide improved access to jobs and services.

Project Status

The Ponce streetscape project will provide an improved pedestrian and bicycle connection along Ponce de Leon Avenue to the BeltLine running from Boulevard to Freedom Parkway.  JHC is working on constructing the last sections of sidewalk between Ponce City Market and Ford Factory Lofts, followed by installing the median between Midtown Place and the Ponce Beltline bridge. This work should continue through the end of April. The contractor will begin construction on the Beltline access ramp as soon as GDOT approves the wall and materials submittals, currently under review.  This project is currently anticipated to complete in June of 2024, but the access ramp will likely be completed at a later date due to timing of engineering review work. Updates are posted at www.beltline.org/ponce.

What to expect:   

  • Rolling lane closures will be utilized as needed throughout the project timeline. All traffic interruptions will utilize a combination of flaggers, cones/barrel, and, if needed, off duty police officers to direct traffic to allow crews to work safely in the street. There is a potential for night construction but advanced notice will be provided any time this may occur.
  • No lane closures on the weekends.
  • Construction will not begin before 7:30 AM on weekdays.
  • Lane Closure Restrictions are from 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM Monday – Friday and no lane closures are permitted on the weekends.
  • Ingress and egress will be maintained at all times on all existing driveways.
  • Work has begun on the north side of Ponce de Leon Avenue at Freedom Parkway and will continue west to Boulevard/Monroe Drive. Once the north side is complete, construction will move to the south side at Boulevard and work east back to Freedom Parkway.
  • Bus stops, crosswalks, sidewalks, and established business curbcuts will be accommodated.
  • Partial trail closures on the BeltLine corridor north of the Ponce bridge will be implemented as needed during ramp and stair construction.
  • Trail users should use caution at the northern approach to the bridge over Ponce de Leon Avenue as some of the BeltLine right-of-way will be utilized for construction activities. This area will be fenced off for safety.

A Northeast Study Group meeting took place on February 16th with updates on the project. Download the presentation and watch the meeting recording.

Below is the construction phasing plan. Schedules are subject to change and we will post updates to this page.Ponce streetscapes phasing plan map

Ponce de Leon Avenue streetscapes update, February 13, 2023

Project Timeline

February 2022
Invitation to Bid (ITB) posted to procure a construction firm
September 2022
Construction start
June 2024
Anticipated construction completion

Last Updated: April 1, 2024