Atlanta Airport MARTA Station closes for renovations

ATLANTA - Monday marks the start of a new week and a new routine for MARTA riders who take the train to get to the Atlanta airport.

Construction at the airport train station is expected to begin in the morning and go on for six weeks through May 19. It’s part of a $55 million renovation project by MARTA.

"That closure is going to be approximately six weeks and there are a number of improvements that are going to be happening," MARTA’s Deputy Chief of Bus Operations Thomas Drozt told FOX 5.

The plan is to remove and replace the floor tiles on the concourse and platform levels.

The project will feature a new ride store, public art installations, replaced signage, better lighting in the concourse, and newly installed elevators. They’re also preparing to build a new canopy structure.

"If we didn't do the shutdown, then this project would go on seventeen months longer," Drozt said.

Some riders said they’re looking forward to seeing the station look completely different, but the next six weeks will be an adjustment.

"Yeah, it's inconvenient, [but] I think it’s probably worth it in the long run,"  Ashish Khatri told FOX 5.

MARTA is offering a shuttle service between College Park Station and the North Terminal Lower Level downstairs from North Baggage claim for the time being.

It’ll run 22 hours a day from 4 a.m. to 2 a.m., and they estimate it’ll increase the commute time by about 30 minutes.

Khatri said he believes that could create an added challenge for people who rely on the train.

"I guess you can work around that, but that’s another transfer you have to make and you don’t know if it’s always gonna be 30 minutes," Khatri said.

Jamesha Wrice works in the airport. She said she welcomes the changes though she’s now looking at taking Uber to get to and from work most days.

"They should’ve [done] this during COVID, but it’s better late than never because it needs to be done. These stations are old," she told FOX 5. "I live like 15 minutes away, it’s just cost of Uber."

If you need a ride to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, you can still take a MARTA shuttle bus between College Park Station and the North Terminal Lower Level downstairs from North Baggage Claim. Transportation is available 22 hours a day, from 4 a.m. until 2 a.m.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority provided the following instructions for clarity:

• If you’re flying out or heading to work at the airport, travel to College Park Station as you normally would, exit the train and follow the signs for the shuttle to the airport located in the station bus loop. The shuttle will drop you at the North Terminal Lower Level – doors LN1 and LN2 – conveniently located near the employee entrance.
• If you’re flying in or heading home from your job at the airport, follow the signs to Ground Transportation and North Baggage Claim. "MARTA Shuttle to Train" signs will lead downstairs to the North Terminal Lower Level where you can board the shuttle between doors LN1 and LN2.

You can learn more about this project here.