The Georgia Department of Transportation’s reconstruction of the 5th Street Bridge is underway with demolition already completed on the south half of the span. The purpose is to create a more pedestrian-friendly bridge with amenities such as wide sidewalks, bike lanes, planter walls, benches, trees, brick pavers and decorative lighting.

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The bridge will provide a vital link between the main Georgia Tech campus on the west side of Interstate 75/85 and the Tech Square development on the east side, noted Frank Lamia, Manager, Construction Administration, Georgia Tech. “The goal is to provide a park-like setting and to buffer the freeway, which benefits not only Georgia Tech, but the Midtown community as a whole,” he added.

The project will be completed in two phases, demolishing and rebuilding the bridge one half at a time, thus enabling the bridge to remain open to pedestrian and vehicular traffic throughout the project. The entire project is scheduled for completion in November 2006.

Midtown Alliance anticipates the project to “beautify and enliven” the 5th Street span, noted Susan Mendheim, President/CEO, Midtown Alliance.

For more information visit the Georgia Department of Transportation website.