Atlanta's sub-surface streets (how much, construction, parking)

[bryantm3]

Okay so I have done some poking around and have decided to make a map of all the underground streets downtown. Here's the map so far:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1c6...cU&usp=sharing



Green is included in Underground Atlanta, Blue is open for service/parking, and red areas are sealed off.

Now, this is really interesting to me. I'm not sure what all is in the sealed off areas, but as far as I know there's not any way to get down there. I know parts of the old storefronts were taken out during the construction of five points station, but it is hard for me to believe that there is nothing left in an area that's at least as large as the existing underground area.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

Okay so I have done some poking around and have decided to make a map of all the underground streets downtown. Here's the map so far:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1c6...cU&usp=sharing



Green is included in Underground Atlanta, Blue is open for service/parking, and red areas are sealed off.

Now, this is really interesting to me. I'm not sure what all is in the sealed off areas, but as far as I know there's not any way to get down there. I know parts of the old storefronts were taken out during the construction of five points station, but it is hard for me to believe that there is nothing left in an area that's at least as large as the existing underground area.

That is very interesting. Wouldn't it be fascinating to take a tour?

[CCATL]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

That is very interesting. Wouldn't it be fascinating to take a tour?

There is a tour! I don't believe it's permitted or anything, but there is a guy who I believe is an architect interested in railroad history, and therefore downtown Atlanta's history, who gives a guided tour for free. Every so often he will post on facebook that he is giving a tour, and last time I went, at least 100 people showed up. He gives a tour/discusses the history of all of the underground areas, takes you to the zero milepost, and through all of the sub-downtown streets. Obviously he can't get to the sealed off areas, but the tour is really interesting. It goes to show just how much potential there is in downtown, and I really hope WRS takes advantage of that.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

That is very interesting. Wouldn't it be fascinating to take a tour?

You totally can. There's a historian from GSU who runs the Unseen Underground Tours through a lot of this area, pointing out a lot of the viaducts, sub-streets, history of underground, etc.

I took my dad on it for a fathers day a few years ago, and we had a blast. It's pretty easy walking, super interesting, and you're in a large enough group to not have to worry about getting into trouble (if you're the kind to worry about all that).

Now, a tour i'd love to do, would be of the MARTA tunnels themselves, say, during the system shutdown from 1AM to 6AM.

[Ivory Lee Spurlock]

Type in "Underground Atlanta" or "tour of underground Atlanta" on YouTube, and it looks like there's quite a few videos of Underground Atlanta.

[bryantm3]

i'm familiar with the unseen underground tour and have explored it myself... all of the areas he shows you, however, are in the "blue" zone. the part in red you can't tour because it's sealed off.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by Ivory Lee Spurlock

Type in "Underground Atlanta" or "tour of underground Atlanta" on YouTube, and it looks like there's quite a few videos of Underground Atlanta.

Thanks! I am now addicted to Atlanta Youtube vids. I had no idea there were such things!!!

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

i'm familiar with the unseen underground tour and have explored it myself... all of the areas he shows you, however, are in the "blue" zone. the part in red you can't tour because it's sealed off.

Me thinks there might be a way through the old AJC building's basement, but that's just a guess

[bu2]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

Okay so I have done some poking around and have decided to make a map of all the underground streets downtown. Here's the map so far:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1c6...cU&usp=sharing



Green is included in Underground Atlanta, Blue is open for service/parking, and red areas are sealed off.

Now, this is really interesting to me. I'm not sure what all is in the sealed off areas, but as far as I know there's not any way to get down there. I know parts of the old storefronts were taken out during the construction of five points station, but it is hard for me to believe that there is nothing left in an area that's at least as large as the existing underground area.

Any idea how the 14 to 15 buildings the group redeveloping Underground Atlanta has options on tie into this?

[bryantm3]

here's some photos of the forsyth street viaduct under construction, looking north



and south (the intersection in the background is forsyth and alabama street: