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MARTA launches $230M overhaul of Five Points Station, transforming Atlanta's transit hub

The Brief MARTA is initiating a $230 million renovation of the Five Points Station, starting with relocating bus operations and preparing the site for infrastructure upgrades. The project includes demolishing the existing concrete canopy and constructing a new one, along with community spaces and a centralized bus hub to enhance functionality and rider experience. Despite initial plans to close the station during construction, public feedback led MARTA to keep an entrance open throughout the project, although it won't be completed by the 2026 World Cup. ATLANTA - Major changes are coming to Atlanta's transit hub as MARTA begins a $230 million overhaul of the Five Points Station downtown, with construction set to start Saturday and continue for about four years. The renovation will transform the central station where all MARTA rail lines converge. The first phase involves relocating bus operations and preparing the four-acre site for significant infrastructure upgrades. What they're saying "The first phase will be moving the buses off of Alabama Street," said MARTA spokesperson Greg Giuffrada. "Then we're going to begin securing the site around the four acres of the Five Points MARTA property." A key component of the project includes demolishing the massive concrete canopy over the station. In its place, MARTA plans to add a new canopy, community spaces, and a centralized bus hub designed to improve long-term functionality and rider experience. "This is much more than aesthetic," Giuffrada said. "It really is a functional necessity for us to get a new canopy over this station, to protect it from the elements, so that all of our trains, all of our equipment underneath, are protected and can keep running without water intrusion." Starting Saturday, riders will only be able to access the station and board buses from the Forsyth Street side. Some changes to bus stops will take effect immediately, while others are scheduled for June. Initially, MARTA proposed closing the entire station during construction. However, public outcry from commuters and city leaders led to a revised approach. "We heard a lot of criticism about that, a lot of pushback," Giuffrada said. "We went back and readjusted our plan to make sure that we kept an entrance open the entire time." The other side Greg Johnson, a regular MARTA rider, said he's already preparing for the disruption. "It'll be alright. And that this is the main area. Oh, Five Points, you know, so everybody comes here is going to be a problem," he said. "I come from the airport from South Side, College Park. So I have to make a way around it." Despite efforts to maintain some access during the project, MARTA officials now say the renovation will not be completed in time for the 2026 World Cup, which is expected to bring thousands of visitors to the city. By the numbers Beginning May 17, 2025, the following bus detours will go into effect. The following routes will stop at Five Points on Forsyth Street 3 – Martin Luther King Jr. Drive/Auburn Avenue [Schedule] 21 – Memorial Drive [Schedule] 40 – Peachtree Street/Downtown [Schedule] 49 – McDonough Boulevard [Schedule] 55 – Jonesboro Road [Schedule] 107 – Glenwood [Schedule] 186 – Rainbow Road Drive/South DeKalb [Schedule] 813 – Atlanta University Center [Schedule] Three bus routes will be detoured to maintain service to Downtown and no longer stop at Five Points: 26 – Marietta Street/Perry Boulevard [Schedule] (stops near Five Points on Marietta Street) 42 – Pryor Road [Schedule] 816 – North Highland Avenue [Schedule] The following routes will terminate at Georgia State Station: 21 – Memorial Drive 42 – Pryor Road 49 – McDonough Boulevard 55 – Jonesboro Road 107 – Glenwood 186 – Rainbow Road Drive/South DeKalb The following routes will terminate at King Memorial Station: 26 – Marietta Street/Perry Boulevard 813 – Atlanta University Center 899 – Old Fourth Ward The following route will terminate at Civic Center Station: 816 – North Highland Avenue Bus routes operated by regional transit partners may have schedule changes related to this project. Please visit partner websites to learn more: CobbLinc, Ride Gwinnett, and Xpress. Street-level access will be maintained on Forsyth Street. Elevators at the street and platform levels will remain open. Rail service and rail transfers are unchanged. This project will not affect rail schedules, but single-tracking may be required for other MARTA projects. Some night closures of the entrance may be necessary in the future. These will be communicated well in advance. Beginning June 6, 2025, the following offices will temporarily relocate: Location details will be provided soon. MARTA Police precinct Ride Store Lost & Found Reduced Fare MARTA HOPE The following station amenities will close June 6, 2025: Restrooms. Proceed to nearby stations for restroom access: GWCC/CNN Center (Westbound): "SMART" restrooms with remote access Peachtree Center (Northbound): Restrooms on north concourse level Georgia State (Eastbound): Restrooms on lower concourse level West End (Southbound): Restrooms on lower concourse level Station Soccer Community garden MARTA Market Information booth Tunnel to federal buildings What's next Officials say the long-term benefits will be worth the temporary inconvenience. SEE ALSO: MARTA Five Points Transformation Project to resume May 17 MARTA resumes $230M Five Points Station overhaul: What this means to riders MARTA to move forward with Five Points project after reaching agreement with city Fewer Atlantans are taking the train, but MARTA says numbers are off State of MARTA 2025: New train car unveiled as transit leaders look towards future The Source FOX 5's Rob DiRienzo spoke with MARTA spokesperson Greg Giuffrada, and riders for this article.