ATLANTA — Heads up, commuters in Buckhead. If you ride MARTA trains, you'll need to find an alternative means of transportation or use buses.
MARTA has announced, as part of a $225 million project to replace heavy rail lines, service at the Lindbergh Center, Buckhead, and Lenox stations will be suspended from Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 22 at 4 a.m.
They said the work will "enhance the safety of the rail system, reduce train delays, and improve the customer experience."
The Track Replacement Project is a multi-year effort that involves replacing track and switches throughout the rail system.
Free bus shuttles will replace trains between Lindbergh Center, Buckhead, and Lenox stations and run continuously during the work period.
They said customers should allow an extra 30 minutes for travel through the work zone. Rail service north of Buckhead and Lenox, and south of Lindbergh, as well as service on the Blue and Green Lines (east/west) will operate normally.
“This State of Good Repair work reflects our commitment to enhancing the safety, efficiency, and longevity of our system,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker. “These ongoing upgrades are designed to improve MARTA’s rail lines and are federally required for us to operate a safe and secure system. We ask that our valued customers and those living and working in areas close to these stations bear with us as we complete this necessary work.”
MARTA Station Agents and Transit Ambassadors will be at these rail stations to assist, and signs guiding customers between the bus shuttles and trains will be prominently displayed.
MARTAConnect, a pilot program with Uber, will also be available during the project. MARTA said it would provide a link to a $10 Uber voucher that customers can download to their Uber app and use twice daily to travel to or from Lindbergh Center, Buckhead, and Lenox rail stations. The customer will be responsible for any amount over $10 per trip and will not receive a credit for any trip less than $10. Details about MARTAConnect can be found on MARTA's website.
Editor's note: This story's headline has been updated to clarify that the rail stations will not be closed; rail service between the locations will be suspended.