Bike lanes and shared spaces across metro Atlanta—including at key locations intown—could see a cash boost soon as part of a program meant to get alternate transportation projects moving.

But first, the Atlanta Regional Commission wants your 2 cents.

Between now and February 11, the ARC is accepting public comment for a proposed update of the regional Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP. It’s kind of a big deal, in that it determines where state and federal funding is channeled for transportation projects across the region.

The latest update would include $10.7 million to fund 17 projects across metro Atlanta as part of the longstanding Livable Centers Initiative.

The goal of the LCI is to assist “local jurisdictions in transforming their communities into more vibrant, walkable places that offer increased mobility options and support community health and economic opportunity,” per ARC officials.

Most notably for intowners, that program could distribute $1.2 million for a more permanent Peachtree Shared Space envisioned for downtown. Atlanta’s Department of City Planning installed planters, lane striping, ADA accessibility ramps, and other measures last summer on a three-block stretch of Peachtree Street, building on an Atlanta City Studio concept from 2018.

The northernmost section of the Peachtree Shared Space lanes, near the point where they end at Baker Street. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

That’s the highest amount proposed for alternate transportation projects on ARC’s shortlist.

The LCI funding would “convert Peachtree Street from Ellis Street to Baker Street in downtown… into a safe, innovative shared space for use by pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, micro-mobility users, and motorists,” according to ARC.

Meanwhile, just east of downtown, a proposed $240,000 grant would help move along a vital component of DeKalb Avenue’s planned overhaul at the Moreland Avenue interchange.

An early rendering of proposed changes to DeKalb Avenue at Moreland Avenue, before plans were revised to move bike lanes adjacent to the curb.City of Atlanta; Renew Atlanta/2020

The cash would “begin [a] scoping phase” to build a trail link between DeKalb and Moreland avenues, improving access to Little Five Points in one direction, and Inman Park’s MARTA station in the other, per the ARC.  

The ARC is expected to take action on amendments to the Transportation Improvement Program in March, following a period for public review and comment.

ARC officials invite the public to submit comments to transportation@atlantaregional.org. Alternately, a virtual public hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. February 9. Anyone who wants to sound off there can email that same address to register for commenting (deadline: 4 p.m., February 8).

Beyond the projects in Atlanta’s core, these proposals could also be of interest, as summarized by ARC officials:

DeKalb County:

New Peachtree Road Multi-Use Path Phase II: (City of Doraville): Extend a previously funded LCI project by constructing multi-use paths and improved pedestrian crossings to connect to MARTA and downtown Doraville. Grant Amount: $221,240

North Shallowford Road Path: (City of Dunwoody): Replace painted bike lanes with a 12-foot-wide path and add landscape buffers to insulate the trail for improved protection. Grant Amount: $560,000 

North Fulton:

North Point Alpha Link: (City of Alpharetta): Connect North Point Mall and Big Creek Greenway with downtown Alpharetta and Haynes Bridge Road. Grant Amount: $1,000,000

Cobb County:

Silver Comet Trail Connector: (City of Powder Springs): Build multi-use paths along Old Lost Mountain and Jackson Way that will connect the Silver Comet Trail to downtown. Grant Amount: $360,000

• Photos: New Peachtree Street pedestrian lanes have changed downtown (Urbanize Atlanta)