Cheshire Bridge Road to remain closed until Mid-May
In a recent announcement, city officials have declared that the Cheshire Bridge Road in Atlanta will remain closed until mid-May due to ongoing construction work. The news has aroused frustration among residents and business owners as the constant detour of traffic has turned the surrounding neighborhoods into impromptu highways.
Years of Disruption
Sherry Callan, a resident of the Lenox Road neighborhood, spoke out about the issue. She expressed her frustration at the traffic situation which, according to Callan, has been a recurring problem since 2017. Starting with the Interstate 85 bridge collapse that year, the problem has only worsened with the closure of Cheshire Bride Road. “We’re cornered here…we feel cursed as every six months something happens”, said Callan.
Construction Delays
Currently, the construction crew is working on the bridge that necessitated the most recent closure near Faulkner Road. However, due to unforeseen issues, the work has been delayed. Initially, an Atlanta City Council member informed the public that the road would reopen partially in April. But according to the Atlanta Department of Transportation, the reopening is pushed to mid-May and the construction work will continue until the end of May.
Residents Demand Action
Local residents have voiced their concerns stating that the constant delay and sluggish resolve of the issue is causing unnecessary inconveniences. Charissa Kash, another resident, emphasized their concerns saying “this is a neighborhood street here… have traffic when we didn’t before, and it’s because they keep delaying and delaying”.
A Continuous Struggle
The issue began in December when a fire at a reported homeless encampment under the Cheshire Bridge Road overpass resulted in a part of the road being closed down. With reduced traffic, business owners say they are already feeling the impact and worry about the potential long-term effects of the situation.
Residents like Callan urge that the city addresses the issue aggressively so as not to repeat the problem. “Over the last three years, we have dealt with this, we ask questions, we get no answers”, said Callan. Citing the rising inconvenience and their frustration, she added “What can you do to help us?”
Hope Amidst Frustration
The city has now announced a definitive date for when the road will reopen to traffic – May 14. While residents await this date, they remain apprehensive about further delays. One resident, speaking to FOX 5, stated that they hoped the reopening would happen as scheduled but remained skeptical, citing past delays.
The Cheshire Bridge Road crisis began back on December 20, with a fire under the bridge causing it to become unsafe to travel on. Now, due to the construction delays and a subsequent fire, businesses in the region are suffering with a significantly slower flow of customers.
Navigating the Road Closure
For residents, motorists and businesses affected by the Cheshire Bridge Road closure, alternate routes have been suggested. These range from using Piedmont Ave NE and Lindbergh Way NE to Lenox Road NE and Woodland Ave NE, amongst others. The exact route instructions can be obtained from the Atlanta Department of Transportation’s recent releases.
