Commuters and air travelers are in for a six-week adjustment as the MARTA Airport Station shuts down for renovations starting today. Those who frequently use the station for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport access need to hop on a shuttle at College Park Station instead, as the station will be off-limits until May 19.
According to Atlanta News First, MARTA officials are advising passengers to allocate an extra 30 minutes for their travel to accommodate the shuttle service. Armani Ambers, a wheelchair assistant at the airport, told the news outlet, "I think the best option is to leave early. I can always depend on Uber but after a while, it gets really expensive. I will figure out a way."
The closure marks a significant phase in the $55-million upgrade project that began in June 2022. Improvements include replacing floor tiles, setting the stage for a new canopy, and installing public art, as well as revamping lighting and signage. "That closure is going to be approximately six weeks and there are a number of improvements that are going to be happening," Thomas Drozt, deputy chief of bus operations for MARTA, said in a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Some MARTA users are taking the renovations in stride. "An extra thirty minutes is not going to be that terrible," Ruth Morrison, an airport employee, told FOX 5 Atlanta. Additional planned improvements to the airport's MARTA station include a new ride store and rehabilitated elevators. For more details on the shuttle service and station upgrades, travelers are directed to visit the MARTA website.
Further disruptions are expected down the line with nightly closures planned for ten months in 2025, and a potential second six-week shutdown for the installation of the new canopy. Despite the temporary inconvenience, the overhaul is aimed at ensuring smoother operations and enhanced amenities for one of the nation's busiest transportation hubs.
