Onsite work has resumed at an eastside MARTA station that will restrict train access for customers into the spring months. 

The next phase of MARTA’s East Lake Station Rehabilitation project began with the closure of the south parking lot on Monday, according to transit agency officials.

Next up, the station’s entire south entrance and south pedestrian bridge are scheduled to close Monday, March 9. (Access to buses on the station’s south side will also close then.) 

MARTA officials say the closures are necessary to replace the south pedestrian bridge and are expected to last roughly two months. 

MARTA's south East Lake station pedestrian bridge prior to renovations, as seen this week along College Avenue Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

For that time period, all East Lake station riders will have to use the recently refurbished north entrance, where a new bridge was installed last year and elevators, enhanced lighting, and upgraded flooring were recently added. The addition of ADA access to the station’s north side is allowing crews to shift focus to the Kirkwood/Oakhurst south side now, per MARTA officials. 

Parking is available at the station’s north lot, which MARTA says should be ample for daily use—though it could fill up during special events.  

Starting Monday, MARTA says all station customers should note the following: 

  • Buses: All routes operating from the south side will be rerouted to the north side (Routes 2, 19, and 34). After the NextGen Bus Network launches on April 18, only Route 34 will continue serving East Lake station, per MARTA.
  • Free shuttles: ADA-accessible shuttles will run between the north and south parking lots during service hours for customer convenience.
  • StationSoccer: Both pitches and parking will remain available and accessible during construction.
  • Temporary road closures: Temporary closures on College Avenue are planned for mid-April during the pedestrian bridge removal and installation. Expect advance notice when dates are confirmed, per MARTA. 

Beyond the new bridge, other upgrades at East Lake station's south flank will include upgraded curb and gutter features, new ADA ramps, fresh paint, and “other aesthetic and functional upgrades aimed at improving safety, accessibility, and rider comfort,” per MARTA’s announcement. 

Finishing touches for the station's north bridge. Courtesy of MARTA

The south bridge's arrival at the station along College Avenue in early 2025. Courtesy of MARTA

MARTA officials note that bridge construction will occur over a busy street and active freight line; as such, the agency’s “construction partners have completed much of the bridge construction while it was in the parking lot, reducing the time needed for bridge installation and minimizing customer impact,” per the agency. 

The work is part of MARTA’s Service, Experience, and Expansion program—or SEE. 

Also included in SEE efforts is MARTA’s first bus rapid transit line (scheduled to open from downtown to Summerhill and Peoplestown in April) and the debut of new rail cars and more climate-friendly electric buses.

Other initiatives have included station renovations at Bankhead, Indian Creek, and Airport stations, along with the addition of “smart” restrooms, fresh station canopies, and resurfaced and re-striped parking lots, according to the transit agency.

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