By Milton Kirby | Stone Mountain, GA. | May 19, 2026

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) officially opened a new pedestrian bridge and renovated west plaza at Indian Creek Station on Monday, unveiling what agency leaders described as a transformational investment for eastern DeKalb County and a major milestone in MARTA’s long-term station rehabilitation program.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of the pedestrian bridge connecting Durham Park Road to the station, providing residents in nearby Manor at Indian Creek and other neighborhoods with a safer and more direct route into the transit system. The project is part of MARTA’s multi-decade Station Rehabilitation Program, which aims to modernize all 38 rail stations across the system.

“This bridge is transformational,” Interim MARTA General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt said during the ceremony. “It provides a safe, accessible route that significantly reduces travel time to the station and removes barriers that once made transit near to their home less convenient to use.”

For residents of Manor at Indian Creek, the new bridge represents more than infrastructure. Terry Ross, Jerry Johnson, and Al Mitchell — all regular MARTA riders — said the bridge will shorten their daily trips to the station by 15 to 20 minutes while also making the journey significantly safer.

Indian Creek Station serves as the easternmost terminus of MARTA’s Blue Line and handles approximately 3,000 passengers each weekday, according to MARTA officials.

Hunt described the station as “one of our major stations within MARTA and into DeKalb County,” emphasizing the role public transportation plays in connecting residents to work, schools, medical appointments, and daily necessities.

The improvements extend well beyond the new bridge.

The project included resurfacing the station’s bus loop, installing upgraded lighting throughout the station, adding new benches and trash receptacles, enhancing landscaping, modernizing fare gates, and performing deep cleaning and restoration work inside the facility. MARTA also installed new wall panels and architectural concrete features designed to improve long-term durability and reduce maintenance costs.

One of the most visible upgrades inside the station involved restoration of the station’s natural wood ceiling through dry ice cleaning.

“We’ve modernized our customer touch points,” Hunt said, noting the installation of MARTA’s new Better Breeze fare gates and updated ticket vending technology.

The west-side fare gates remain under construction and are expected to open within the next several weeks.

The station rehabilitation also included improvements to the traction power substation, which powers MARTA’s third rail system. Hunt said the new exterior wall paneling was designed to be more durable, easier to maintain, and visually appealing.

DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson praised the project as an important investment in mobility and quality of life for county residents.

“As commissioner of this district, I understand how important public transportation is to the residents I serve,” Davis Johnson said during the ceremony.

“MARTA is more than just a transit system. It is a vital connection to jobs, schools, medical appointments, shopping, and countless opportunities that improve the quality of life for our citizens.”

She called Indian Creek Station “a critical transportation hub” for eastern DeKalb County and said the pedestrian bridge would provide “safer and more convenient access” for residents living near Durham Park Road.

“This project represents a significant investment in infrastructure and community,” she said. “When we invest in transportation, we are investing in our people.”

Construction leaders also emphasized the local significance of the project.

Representatives from Carroll Daniel Construction Company and C.D. Moody Construction Company highlighted the collaborative effort behind the renovation and the importance of reinvesting in communities connected to MARTA’s transit system.

Charles Moody from C.D. Moody Construction noted the company’s long relationship with MARTA and reflected on growing up in DeKalb County and using Indian Creek Station throughout childhood and adulthood.

“I remember when the station was new,” he said. “I remember the ups and downs. And I love to see when we are revitalizing and putting back in our community because it means so much to someone like me who grew up here.”

The Indian Creek project represents one of MARTA’s earliest major station rehabilitation efforts under a broader modernization strategy that includes station upgrades, new rail cars, improved lighting, upgraded fare technology, and preparations for increased regional activity leading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting in front of the new bridge as MARTA officials, construction partners, elected leaders, and community members gathered to celebrate the reopening.

“Thank you for staying focused on the vision for this station and taking a moment to take this station from good to great,” Hunt told MARTA employees and project partners.

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