Atlanta's iconic Jackson Street Bridge to get major safety improvements

Jackson Street Bridge gets safety upgrade

Atlanta’s Jackson Street Bridge in the Old Fourth Ward is getting some much-needed safety improvements. The city broke ground on the project which promises to make the beloved bridge safer.

ATLANTA - Atlanta's iconic Jackson Street Bridge is getting major upgrades.

A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Tuesday morning to start work on much-needed safety improvements for pedestrians.

MORE: Atlanta's iconic Jackson Street Bridge to undergo radical redesign

Jackson Street Bridge revamp

What we know:

The bridge is often filled with people taking photos and videos of Atlanta's skyline.

While the view from the Jackson Street Bridge is breathtaking, the narrow sidewalk on the bridge makes getting that perfect photo a bit dangerous.

According to city leaders, Georgia’s 5th Congressional District, which includes the Jackson Street Bridge, ranks among the highest in pedestrian fatalities. Officials hope the redesign will change that.

Courtesy of Department of City Planning; Atlanta City Studio

Back in 2018, a car slammed into two men filming a music video on the bridge in the middle of the night. Thankfully, everyone survived.

City leaders have been working for years to secure the funding to make the bridge safer for pedestrians and bikers.

The transformation project is expected to cost around $600,000. The money will be split between the 5th District and the city's Department of Transportation.

Officials say the project will not only expand the dedicated pedestrian area beyond the existing sidewalks, but also add a new bike lane linking the Freedom Parkway Trail to the Baker-Highland Trail.

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What they're saying:

"This Jackson Street Bridge corridor is legendary in our city," said LaChandra Burks, the City of Atlanta’s Chief Operating Officer, during the kickoff event. The project, which will cost $700,000, is part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative—a program committed to eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2040.

"Two of my close friends got married on this bridge, and it was beautiful," said Atlanta City Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari, who represents District 5. "Except for the fact that we [were] all darting back across the street, trying not to get hit by a car."

"This project is a cornerstone of our larger vision to create a transportation network that’s safer, smarter, and more sustainable for every Atlantan," said Solomon Caviness IV, Commissioner of the Atlanta Department of Transportation.

Groundbreaking for Atlanta bridge improvements

A popular Atlanta spot for taking pictures of the city skyline is getting major safety improvements.

"Projects like this are essential to achieving the city's Vision Zero goal and embracing multi-modal design," he added. "We’re not just improving bridges and building roadway infrastructure, but building a better future."

Councilmember Bakhtiari emphasized the project’s broader importance: "We want to ensure that people that are walking to experience the city, to experience this incredible skyline, to experience the connectivity and the history of Atlanta—this will help make that happen."