A major thoroughfare in the city’s west side is about to undergo a makeover. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive – from Northside Drive to Ollie Street  –  is one of several stretches of roadway benefiting from federal funds. The monies will be used for beautification of the thoroughfare, which will include the installation of trees and lighting, pedestrian right of way improvements and other enhancements.

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) recently approved three pre-qualified Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) transportation projects for funding in the City of Atlanta.  MLK Jr. Drive falls under the Vine City/Washington Park LCI, one of the selected projects. The enhancement will also include the installation of bicycle lanes.

“Out of the 42 applications ARC received, I’m thrilled that Vine City/Washington Park LCI was chosen,” said District 3 City Councilmember Ivory Lee Young, Jr. who represents that area. “We are excited to know that the city’s Department of Public Works and Office of Planning and Community Development will work together to move these projects forward.”

The Vine City/Washington Park LCI will receive $2,202,418 in federal funding and $2,011,804 in local funding. ARC will fund 80 percent of the design and construction costs while the City of Atlanta is responsible for 20 percent of the design and construction costs plus all of the right-of-way acquisition costs.

The other two projects selected are:

• Buckhead MARTA LCI – Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway road and pedestrian improvements for West Lake Avenue/Florence Place to Gray Avenue: $2,177,047 in federal funding; $1,044,252 in local funding.

• South Moreland LCI – Moreland/Glenwood intersection realignment:  $799,340 in federal funding; $538,911 in local funding.