Project Profile: Five Points Station Transformation, Atlanta

The Five Points Station Transformation Project is a comprehensive $206 million overhaul of Atlanta’s central transit hub, focused on structural renewal, enhanced passenger flow, and community integration. This multi-year initiative by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) involves a complete renovation of the concourse and plaza levels to create a modern, efficient, and welcoming urban space. The project’s engineering is defined by the replacement of the existing concrete canopy with a transparent, mass-timber structure and the realignment of pedestrian and bus traffic to improve accessibility and safety.

Technical Specifications

The core structural modification of the Five Points Station involves the deconstruction of the existing concrete canopy and its replacement with a new, transparent arched roof. This new canopy is engineered with a mass-timber grid shell supported by structural steel V-shaped columns, a design that maximizes natural light and ventilation while minimizing load on the station’s existing substructure. The design prioritizes pedestrian-scale improvements, including the construction of two lightweight steel bridges to reconnect Broad Street over the station, enhancing urban connectivity. Concourse and platform level upgrades include the installation of new ceilings, high-efficiency LED lighting systems, and durable wall surfaces integrated with locally sourced mosaic artwork. On the plaza level, civil engineering works focus on reconfiguring the public realm to include green spaces, public art installations, and an advanced stormwater management system to protect the below-grade infrastructure. Bus operations will be streamlined through the relocation of existing bays into a “sawtooth” pattern along Alabama Street SW and Forsyth Street SW, designed to improve traffic flow and passenger safety.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Hub Modernization: The project revitalizes the single most critical nexus in the MARTA system, where all four rail lines and nine bus routes converge, directly impacting the entire network’s efficiency and passenger experience.
• Community-Centric Engineering: The design moves beyond a purely functional transit facility to create a community destination. The integration of public plazas, green infrastructure, and public art aims to reactivate the surrounding urban environment.
• Complex Phased Construction: A significant logistical challenge is executing a large-scale renovation while maintaining continuous operations for one of the nation’s busiest transit stations. The Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) model is critical for managing this complexity and mitigating service disruptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the new Five Points Station open?
The Five Points Station Transformation Project is projected to be fully completed in 2028. Construction is being conducted in carefully managed phases to minimize disruption to MARTA train and bus services, which will remain operational throughout the project’s duration.

Who is building the Five Points Station?
The primary construction is managed by a joint venture of Carroll Daniel and Moody, with Skanska Building serving as the Construction Management at Risk (CMAR). The innovative canopy design is led by the global architectural and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), supported by a team of specialized sub-consultants.