Potholes no more: One of Atlanta’s worst streets is now freshly repaved

ATLANTA — One of the worst streets to drive in Atlanta now has new pavement and new life.

DeKalb Avenue in northeast Atlanta is now more comfortable for drivers and a lot safer.

About three and a half miles of DeKalb Avenue from Jackson Street to almost the East Lake MARTA station has been repaved and restriped.

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Neighbors and drivers complained about the notoriously bad stretch of road for years.

The reversible center lane was dubbed the “suicide lane” because it was so dangerous and the road’s surface was a patchwork of potholes.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta City Council members, and other community leaders cut the ribbon on the completed project Tuesday.

Cristy Lenz, president of the Inman Park Neighborhood Association said driving it now is surreal.

“Because you’re driving down the road and it’s smooth. And your body wants to go around the potholes you knew were there, but they’re not there,” Lenz said.

“I think the results speak for themselves. (It’s a) glorious day, it’s exciting,” Atlanta DOT Commissioner Solomon Caviness said.

Both Caviness, who just took over at the beginning of the year, and Mayor Dickens, who heard about DeKalb Avenue when he was a council member, made finishing the project a priority.

“Even though we encountered delays over the years, commuters have had a whole lot to say about DeKalb Avenue, to say the least... from drivers to cyclists on this road,” Dickens said.

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Many people said they’d believe it when they see it... and now they can.

A uniquely, yet bumpy, Atlanta experience is gone.

Crews will continue working in the area for the next few weeks, adding protected bike lanes and some other finishing touches.

Officials say the newly repaved roads should last another 15-20 years.

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