A Street with Purpose: Jacobs’ Vision for a More Connected Midtown Atlanta

In Midtown Atlanta—one of the Georgia city’s most densely developed and highly trafficked districts—Jacobs has helped deliver a transformative design to reshape how people move through the urban core. The 15th Street Extension, a collaborative effort between Jacobs, Midtown Alliance and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), is a new corridor designed to improve east-west connectivity and support multimodal travel in a rapidly growing area.

The project connects the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Arts Center transit station to major streets, relieving pressure on nearby corridors and creating a safer, more accessible environment for pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders and drivers. With nearly 115,000 daily commuters in the area, the extension plays a critical role in improving mobility and preparing Midtown for continued growth.

Designing for density and flexibility

Located in a compact footprint surrounded by active development, the 15th Street Extension required a nimble and adaptive design approach. Jacobs worked closely with stakeholders to minimize disruption while delivering a future-ready transportation solution.

Key features of the project include:

• Multimodal design supporting pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and vehicles
• Improved access to MARTA and major north-south corridors, including West Peachtree Street, Spring Street and Williams Street/I-75/I-85
• Sustainable urban design strategies that enhances walkability and reduces congestion

With design complete, Jacobs is now providing construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services to support Midtown Alliance through the final stages of construction, expected to finish in fall 2025.

Celebrating excellence in design

Jacobs’ work on the 15th Street Extension was honored with the Georgia Partnership for Transportation Quality (GPTQ) Preconstruction Award in the Highway Design – Small Project category, presented by ACEC Georgia. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in transportation planning and design.

“This award represents a successful collaboration between our clients, multiple stakeholders and our Jacobs project team,” says Jacobs Lead Design Engineer Karri Thomas. “The 15^th Street Extension provides an innovative solution that enhances Midtown's street grid, increases travel options and strengthens connectivity.”

This project builds on Jacobs’ broader work in Atlanta, including the Stitch Vision Study, where Jacobs worked with the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District and Central Atlanta Progress to prepare a vision plan for 30 blighted acres of urban land in Downtown Atlanta. Centered on the I-85/75 Connector—the state’s main transportation artery—the plan reimagined how infrastructure can reconnect communities and unlock economic potential.