Friday, December 5, 2003

Sullivan Road is now open

Mayor Shirley Franklin and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport announced the opening of Sullivan Road between Derrick Jones and Riverdale Road last week.

The new section of Sullivan Road was created to allow for the construction of the Airport’s 9,000-foot runway and taxiway system presently under construction. Motorists using Sullivan Road will now drive parallel to Interstate 285 when traveling outside the Perimeter. The former path, which extended inside I-285 crossed directly at the footprint of the Fifth Runway before connecting with Riverdale Road. The project’s overall cost was in excess of $11.6 million.

“The relocated portion was the most efficient plan selected to accommodate the existing and future traffic growth in the area,” said Aviation General Manager Ben DeCosta. “This new section of Sullivan Road is 1.25 miles long and will eventually be expanded to four lanes. When fully completed in 2004, the new roadway will include new safety features such as street lights and a sidewalk along the road’s southern edge.”

Additional roadway enhancements include a new entrance to the Cherry Hills subdivision that has been constructed at Seaborn Place, and the widening of Riverdale Road to provide duel left turns at the intersection of Sullivan Road at Phoenix Boulevard.

The Sullivan Road Relocation Project is a part of the Airport’s $5.4 billion, 10-year development program. Hartsfield-Jackson’s fifth runway is scheduled for completion in May 2006. Once operational, the airport’s new runway and taxiway system will significantly reduce aircraft delays, and allow the facility to accommodate the growing demand for air travel.