Peachtree Corners New Town Center Pedestrian Bridge Opens

Late afternoon on November 17, Peachtree Corners celebrated the opening of its new pedestrian bridge. With a quick snip from a pair of oversized scissors by the mayor, the ribbon that stretched across the 14-foot walkway of the city’s new pedestrian bridge fell away as he, along with the city council and invited dignitaries looked on.

And with that, the city’s long-awaited Town Center pedestrian bridge was finally officially open. It brought applause all around from Mayor Mike Mason, Council members Weare Gratwick, Phil Sadd, Eric Christ, Alex Wright, Jeanne Aulbach, Lorri Christopher, invited dignitaries and guests who had gathered in the center of the new bridge for the official celebration.

“We’ve waited a long time to experience this moment,” said Mayor Mike Mason. “We are thankful that the city now has a safe way for our residents and visitors to cross over Peachtree Parkway to the Town Center. It was a real challenge to cross the road on foot, especially for families with young children in tow. Now everyone will be able to cross the road safely.”

Prior to the bridge’s deployment, pedestrian safety was a major concern for city officials.

“On the south end of Peachtree Corners, this corridor carries nearly 100,000 vehicles per day.  That is second only to Interstate 85 as the heaviest volume roadway in Gwinnett County,” Greg Ramsey, the city’s Public Works Director.

As a nod to the original Jones Bridge that once spanned the Chattahoochee River nearby, the new pedestrian bridge was designed to reflect the style of the historic bridge that a century ago carried traffic and pedestrians from Gwinnett to Fulton County. Taking a page from its history, the color of the old and new bridge are also the same.

While the city’s new thrust arch style bridge is a reminder of days gone by, that’s where the old and the new part ways. Designed by the local engineering firm of Michael Baker International, the new pedestrian structure features two elevators and two sets of stairs and connects the city’s Town Center with The Forum shopping center. The Town Center bridge is approximately 45 feet high (from ground to the top of the arches) with a 190-foot walkway.

“The completion of this bridge not only provides a safe connection between two prominent shopping and entertainment districts,” said City Manager Brian Johnson, “but it also provides an expansion opportunity for the city’s multi-use trail system.”

The idea for a pedestrian bridge evolved from one of the goals established in the city’s first Comprehensive Plan. Adopted in 2013, the Comprehensive Plan identified five major goals
including the development of features that would “unify and connect” key parts of the city.

City leaders had already been discussing developing a Town Center on the 21-acre undeveloped property fronting S.R. 141 near the intersection with Medlock Bridge Road.

One major concern was how to safely connect what would become the city’s downtown area with the existing Forum shopping center and the many residents whose homes were located on the west side of Peachtree Parkway. A pedestrian bridge would solve that dilemma and serve as a key link to Peachtree Corners’ emerging multi-use trail.

“The bridge team is very happy to see this segment of the overall Corners Connector trail open
and available to the community,” said Greg Ramsey, the city’s Public Works Director. This is
now a safe and efficient crossing over a very busy highway, and its placemaking will serve the
community well into the future.”

On-site construction began in fall 2019. By this time next year, the bridge will connect to a trail along the stream that is adjacent to the Town Center. That part of the Corners Connector Trail system will provide connectivity to existing trails along Peachtree Corners Circle and Medlock Bridge Road. Those trail segments connect to existing path infrastructure that stretches north to Duluth and beyond.

For the thousands of pedestrians who will use the new elevated walkway with its expansive view, the city’s new bridge was well worth the wait.

Sources:

Press release by the City of Peachtree Corners

Gregory Ramsey, PE, Director of Public Works & Engineering