Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT): How It Works and How to Use It

The Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) is the City of Atlanta’s main agency in charge of streets, sidewalks, traffic signals, bike lanes, and many day-to-day transportation issues inside city limits. If you live, work, or visit Atlanta, ATLDOT is the department behind much of what you experience on the road and on foot.

Below is a clear guide to what ATLDOT does, how it fits into other Atlanta transportation agencies, and how you can contact them or request services.

What ATLDOT Does in Atlanta

ATLDOT focuses on city-owned transportation infrastructure. Its work generally falls into a few major areas:

Street, Lane, and Sidewalk Management

ATLDOT is typically responsible for:

• Paving and resurfacing city streets
• Managing lane markings (centerlines, crosswalks, bike lanes, turn arrows)
• Sidewalk repairs and improvements on city-controlled streets
• Curb ramps and accessibility upgrades at intersections
• Streetlight coordination (often in partnership with utilities)

If you notice:

• Potholes
• Faded crosswalks
• Damaged sidewalks or missing curb ramps

…there’s a good chance you’ll be dealing with ATLDOT or a related city service when you submit a request.

Traffic Signals, Signs, and Safety

ATLDOT plays a major role in how traffic flows and how safe it feels to walk, bike, or drive:

• Traffic signal timing and maintenance at many city intersections
• Installation and maintenance of stop signs, speed limit signs, and warning signs
• Safety projects like pedestrian islands, traffic calming, and safer school crossings
• Vision Zero–style initiatives focused on reducing severe crashes

This work is especially visible in busy corridors like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and along major routes like Peachtree Street or Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Bicycle, Scooter, and Pedestrian Infrastructure

As more Atlantans choose alternatives to driving, ATLDOT helps shape:

• Bike lanes and multi-use paths on city streets
• Scooter and bike parking or staging areas
• Pedestrian improvements such as wider sidewalks, crosswalk upgrades, and traffic calming

ATLDOT often coordinates with regional partners and nearby cities, especially around BeltLine connections and routes in areas like Old Fourth Ward, Westside, and the Eastside.

Planning and Capital Projects

Beyond daily maintenance, ATLDOT works on longer-term projects, such as:

• Corridor redesigns and “complete streets” projects
• Intersection overhauls
• New signals and pedestrian crossings
• Bridge and viaduct projects within the city
• Support for major redevelopment areas like Downtown, the Gulch vicinity, and key transit corridors

These projects usually go through community input processes and may involve partnerships with MARTA, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), or regional planning organizations.

ATLDOT vs. Other Transportation Agencies in Atlanta

Transportation in Atlanta is shared across several agencies. Knowing who does what can save you time when you need help.

ATLDOT vs. GDOT (State of Georgia)

ATLDOT handles city streets and local projects.
GDOT (Georgia Department of Transportation) manages state routes and interstates, such as:

• I-20, I-75, I-85, I-285
• Many state routes that run through Atlanta, like portions of Peachtree Road (US 19/GA 9), North Avenue, Memorial Drive, and Moreland Avenue, depending on the segment.

If an issue is on an interstate or a clearly marked state route, it may fall under GDOT rather than ATLDOT.

ATLDOT vs. MARTA

MARTA runs:

• Buses
• Heavy rail (the MARTA trains)
• Some paratransit and regional connections

ATLDOT does not operate buses or trains, but it often:

• Coordinates bus lanes, bus stops, and bus priority signals on city streets
• Works with MARTA on sidewalks and crosswalks to and from stations
• Supports transit-oriented improvements around stations like Five Points, Arts Center, and Lindbergh

ATLDOT vs. City of Atlanta 311

The ATL 311 system is the front door for many city service requests, including transportation issues. ATLDOT is the department that may fulfill many 311 requests involving:

• Potholes
• Sidewalk damage
• Missing or damaged street signs
• Requests for traffic calming
• Signal problems or timing concerns

You usually submit a request through 311, and it is then routed to ATLDOT or another relevant department.

How to Contact ATLDOT and Request Help

You can typically interact with ATLDOT in two main ways: through Atlanta 311 and through direct city contacts where applicable.

Using ATL 311 for Transportation Issues

For most everyday concerns, start with ATL 311:

Common issues to report:

• 🚧 Potholes in city streets
• 🚶‍♀️ Sidewalk damage or tripping hazards
• 🚦 Traffic signal not working (red/yellow/green lights out, flashing, or mis-timed)
• 🛑 Missing or damaged stop sign or other traffic sign
• 🚗 Parking or curb issues in city-controlled areas
• 🧱 Obstructions blocking sidewalks or travel lanes (such as debris, tree limbs on local streets)

You can usually report these by:

• Calling 311 from inside the City of Atlanta, or the city’s published 10-digit number if you’re outside city limits
• Using the online ATL 311 portal or mobile app (commonly used by Atlanta residents)

When you submit a report, it helps to provide:

• The exact location (address, nearby intersection, or identifiable landmark)
• A clear description of the problem
• Photos, if the system allows uploads

The request is then typically routed to ATLDOT or another city department, depending on the type of issue.

In-Person and Mail: City of Atlanta Departments

ATLDOT is part of the City of Atlanta government, which is primarily based in and around Downtown Atlanta.

A central reference point for city departments, including transportation-related offices, is:

• City of Atlanta – City Hall
  55 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

For specialized topics like permits, right-of-way use, or development-related transportation questions, you may be referred to specific ATLDOT staff or to related departments that work closely with ATLDOT, such as planning or public works.

Because office locations, phone extensions, and walk-in hours can change, it’s wise to:

1. Start with ATL 311 or the City of Atlanta’s main switchboard.
2. Ask to be directed to the Atlanta Department of Transportation or the specific function you need (e.g., permits, traffic engineering, bike/pedestrian projects).

Typical Services Residents Use ATLDOT For

Here are everyday situations where Atlanta residents frequently interact with ATLDOT, directly or through 311.

1. Pothole and Street Surface Issues

Atlanta’s weather, heavy traffic, and construction can lead to potholes and rough pavement.

You might contact ATLDOT (typically via 311) to:

• Report a pothole on a city street
• Request street resurfacing or repair in a neighborhood
• Note uneven pavement causing safety concerns

If the problem is on a state highway or interstate, it may be handled by GDOT instead.

2. Sidewalks and Curb Ramps

In many intown neighborhoods — such as Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, West End, and Grant Park — sidewalks are heavily used.

Residents often reach out to the city about:

• Cracked or uplifted sidewalk slabs
• Missing or non-compliant curb ramps at intersections
• Sidewalk access issues near public facilities, schools, or transit

Some responsibilities may fall on adjacent property owners, but ATLDOT plays a central role in city-led repairs, upgrades, and ADA-related improvements.

3. Traffic Signals and Signs

If you encounter:

• A signal that’s stuck on red or flashing unexpectedly
• A crosswalk signal that doesn’t trigger or is badly timed
• A missing or damaged stop sign

…you would typically report it through Atlanta 311, and the request is routed to ATLDOT traffic operations or another responsible unit.

Residents and neighborhood groups also sometimes request:

• New stop signs
• Speed limit sign changes
• All-way stops or other traffic control changes

These requests often go through a review process that considers crash history, traffic volumes, and engineering standards.

4. Traffic Calming and Neighborhood Safety

In many Atlanta neighborhoods, especially near schools or cut-through routes, people seek ways to slow traffic and improve safety.

ATLDOT may be involved in:

• Neighborhood traffic calming programs (speed humps, mini roundabouts, curb extensions)
• Safe routes to school improvements
• Pedestrian-focused changes, such as raised crosswalks or shorter crossing distances

These projects usually involve:

1. Neighborhood or school input
2. Traffic studies or engineering review
3. Funding and scheduling as part of the city’s capital program or special initiatives

5. Biking, Scooters, and Complete Streets

As Atlanta adds more bike lanes, scooter corrals, and complete streets projects, ATLDOT is often the lead city agency.

You might encounter ATLDOT planning or project teams if you:

• Attend a community meeting about a new bike lane or road diet
• Respond to a survey about a corridor redesign (for example, a major intown street being reconfigured)
• Ask about shared micromobility parking near your block or business

ATLDOT and Major Atlanta Corridors

ATLDOT’s work is especially visible on key city streets, including:

• Peachtree Street and Peachtree Center-area segments (signals, crosswalks, pedestrian experience)
• Auburn Avenue and Edgewood Avenue (historic corridors with multimodal needs)
• Northside Drive, Metropolitan Parkway, and Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway (corridors with safety and freight considerations)
• Streets connecting to the Atlanta BeltLine and major intown neighborhoods

Some of these streets may be partially controlled by GDOT depending on exact location and designation, so ATLDOT often coordinates with state partners.

Summary: When and How to Use ATLDOT in Atlanta

Below is a quick reference to help you decide when ATLDOT is typically involved and how to take action.

For most everyday issues on local streets, sidewalks, and signals within the City of Atlanta, ATLDOT is the city department behind the work, and ATL 311 is your main entry point.

By understanding ATLDOT’s role — and how it differs from GDOT and MARTA — you can more easily get problems fixed, share feedback on projects, and navigate Atlanta’s evolving transportation network.