Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

The Antidote to Atlanta’s Cold Weather Traffic Insanity

Freezing temperatures have Atlanta's highways moribund, and the city is in crisis.
Freezing temperatures have Atlanta's highways moribund, and the city is in crisis.
false

Cold temperatures, a little more than a dusting of snow, and what seems to be a completely inept storm response have paralyzed Atlanta's freeways. The whole region is reeling.

People are trapped in cars on the highways, without water or food. Stranded people are sleeping on the floors of pharmacies. Shop owners are being hailed as heroes for managing to keep their businesses open. Locals are joking that it would be faster to build an airplane than drive to the airport.

This is a good time to reflect on why cities with more transportation options are considered more "resilient."

Because not everyone in Atlanta had their day (week?) ruined. Darren at ATLUrbanist, a downtown resident, has enjoyed the cold snap. Here's how he's coping:

Snowy fun in the city. My son and I just shuffled our way down the sidewalk to play in the snow at Woodruff Park. We get snow like this only once every two or three years here, so it’s a big deal.

Condolences (sincere) to the people stuck in Atlanta’s snow jam 2014. The roads and highways are parking lots, with people abandoning there cars in some places, according to reports.

A reminder: underneath this snow, MARTA trains are running. A suggestion: build more housing near train stations. It’s really been nice for us, living in walking distance to the train. I recommend it.

This is the alternative to being trapped on a motionless freeway, for a downtown Atlanta resident. Image: ATLUrbanist
This is what one downtown Atlanta resident is getting out of the snowstorm instead of being trapped on a motionless freeway. Photos: ATLUrbanist
false

Elsewhere on the Network today: Transportation for America issues a response to last night's State of the Union address. Transit for central Indiana moves forward, reports Urban Indy, but for some reason state legislators have an odd intolerance for light rail. And Better Institutions says despite the recent "Transit Score" results, transit in Seattle isn't getting worse.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Sean Duffy’s ‘Great America Road Trip’ Wants You to Drive to Central Park

Sean Duffy's "Great American Road Trip" encourages Americans to drive to sites in the most transit-rich and car-choked parts of the country.

July 3, 2025

Ex-DOT Official Warns NYC’s ‘Counterproductive’ E-bike Speed Limit Will Curb Biking, Safety

The mayor is working overtime to undo the decade of gains for cycling in the Big Apple, a former de Blasio administration official told Streetsblog.

July 3, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Just the News Edition

Things are slowing down for summer, but not entirely. Here's the news.

July 3, 2025

DOT Boss Defends Adams’s ‘Vision Zero’ Record As Agency Fights A Bike Lane in Court

Traffic fatalities are down and the DOT is taking a victory lap — even as it argues against a protected bike lane in court.

July 2, 2025

Cyclist Arrested After Crash with Electric ‘One-wheel’-Style Unicycle

Carolyn Backus is charged with fleeing the scene of a crash causing serious injury, but the details are murky.

Wednesday’s Headlines: Return of Summer Streets Edition

Summer Streets is back and bigger than ever. Plus more news.

July 2, 2025
See all posts