{"529001":{"#nid":"529001","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Traffic to Divert from Tech Parkway during Construction","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003EIn collaboration with the City of Atlanta and the local nonprofit PATH Foundation, the West Campus thoroughfare, Tech Parkway, is getting a makeover, shifting from its present configuration as a four-lane divided highway to a two-way street with a dedicated bike facility and wide pedestrian sidewalk.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003ELong recognized for its sprawling car culture, the effort is part of Atlanta\u2019s growing enthusiasm for making alternate modes of transportation more attractive options. Construction is set to begin in early May, and conclude March 2017.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003E\u201cThe Tech Parkway multiuse path project will create new infrastructure to provide the community a safe and easy way to get to and around campus,\u201d said Lisa Safstrom, campus transportation planner. \u201cThe path will contribute to the greater network throughout town, advancing safer cycling opportunities for all users.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003EThe changes are consistent with both Georgia Tech\u2019s Master Plan vision as well as the city\u2019s Cycle Atlanta strategy. Despite concerns that this project would restrict automobile traffic, pre-project analysis suggests the reconfiguration can be comfortably accommodated.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003E\u201cThe city and design team did full traffic studies during normal and event traffic situations and confirmed these changes would not negatively impact vehicular circulation,\u201d said Jason Gregory, senior educational facilities planner in Capital Planning and Space Management. \u201cThis project is a step in managing the traffic volume while also providing for a great connection between midtown and downtown for multiple modes of transportation.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003ENear the start of the project, both lanes of Tech Parkway between Means Street and Northside Drive will be closed to through traffic. During that time, drivers will need to adjust their route. Closures may last a few weeks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003EAt completion, the bicycle and pedestrian routes will continue beyond the Tech campus, stretching down Luckie Street to Centennial Olympic Park. The additional connectivity is likely to open up the campus to its midtown residents, making it a little bit easier for riders to enjoy the underappreciated aesthetics of Tech\u2019s 400 acres, and will also provide a safer and more convenient option for Tech\u2019s bike commuters to access campus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003E\u201cIt could be as significant to this side of town as other multiuse paths like the BeltLine\u2019s Eastside Trail,\u201d Safstrom said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022p5\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech will cover half the cost of the Tech Parkway portion of the project. The PATH Foundation, whose vision is to create a network of connected trails throughout the Atlanta region that converge on the center of the city, will cover the other half.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EConstruction on Tech Parkway\u0027s makeover is scheduled to begin May 9.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Construction on Tech Parkway\u0027s makeover is scheduled to begin May 9."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2016-04-25 14:11:03","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:21:28","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-04-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-04-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"529011":{"id":"529011","type":"image","title":"Tech Parkway Rendering","body":null,"created":"1461895200","gmt_created":"2016-04-29 02:00:00","changed":"1475895307","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:07","alt":"Tech Parkway Rendering","file":{"fid":"206188","name":"techpkwypresentation_101215.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/techpkwypresentation_101215.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/techpkwypresentation_101215.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":946966,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/techpkwypresentation_101215.jpg?itok=Zb29zGTB"}},"528991":{"id":"528991","type":"image","title":"Tech Parkway Construction Map","body":null,"created":"1461895200","gmt_created":"2016-04-29 02:00:00","changed":"1475895307","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:07","alt":"Tech Parkway Construction Map","file":{"fid":"206187","name":"street_closed_map.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/street_closed_map.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/street_closed_map.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":729298,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/street_closed_map.jpg?itok=zZswVC2W"}}},"media_ids":["529011","528991"],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/space.gatech.edu\/","title":"Capital Planning and Space Management"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"181","name":"alternative transportation"},{"id":"778","name":"bicycles"},{"id":"47071","name":"bikes"},{"id":"1400","name":"Construction"},{"id":"479","name":"Green Buzz"},{"id":"1172","name":"roads"},{"id":"170172","name":"tech parkway"},{"id":"4152","name":"whistle"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jason.gregory@cpsm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJason Gregory\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECapital Planning and Space Management\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}