Atlanta, Georgia: MARTA Central Subway

MARTA's North/South line runs underground through downtown and midtown Atlanta for about 3.6 miles (5.8 km), from Garnett in the south to a bit north of Arts Center. The tunnel usually runs parallel to Peachtree Street and a bit to the west of it. The six underground stations each have a distinct personality. (I don't include Garnett, because it's mostly above ground; the subway tunnel begins at the north end of that station.)

Pictures

[picture] The North/South and East/West Lines intersect at Five Points, making it the hub of the MARTA rail system. The uppermost level is a covered plaza which is elevated slightly above street level. [May 2002]

[picture] The plaza looks down into the concourse, with fare gates, an information kiosk, pass/token sales, some shops, and escalators down to the track levels. [May 2002]

[picture] Below the concourse level is the East/West Line. This is at or slightly below the actual ground level (note the reflection of daylight in the front window of the train); the surrounding streets were raised in the 1920s. Next to Five Points is the Underground Atlanta shopping area, a couple of preserved original streets. [May 2002]

[picture] Descending still further we come to the North/South Line at the bottom level. [May 2002]

[picture] The north wall of the Five Points station features the reconstructed facade of the Eiseman Building, which was razed to make room for the station. (More information about the facade, on Joe Morris's web site) The escalator connects the North/South platform directly with the concourse level, skipping the East/West level. [May 2002]