As construction moves forward on SunTrust Park and the surrounding mixed-use center, one piece of the development puzzle remains missing. The Marietta Daily Journal reports that the long-promised pedestrian and transit bridge over Interstate 285 — central to combating horrendous traffic — is once again in peril. And this time around, the odds are truly not in its favor, with all indications saying the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority will not allow the south side of the bridge to be located on their property.
A large part of the displeasure stems from the most recently released design details of the bridge, which show the approach ramp and structure swallowing around 100 prime parking spaces from the Galleria Convention Center. But there's more to the issue than the fear of permanently losing parking.
The article quotes members of the board expressing concern over Braves fans getting territorial with spaces, resulting in visitors to the Galleria not being able to find parking. All the worry is compounded by the fact that many feel the original cost estimates, based on a preliminary design, are severely below what it will actually cost to build the bridge. Proving that Cobb County politicians are a whole other breed, one even went so far as to compare the bridge to Obamacare. You truly can't make this stuff up.
Let's just hope the best solution isn't human Frogger across the interstate ... or an even greater reliance on bike lanes in the area.
· No Bridging the Difference? [Marietta Daily Journal; subscriber]
· New Braves Bridge will Totally Solve all Traffic Concerns [Curbed Atlanta]
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