People-friendly remake of Avondale Estates’ main drag hits milestone

Josh Green

Thu, 06/05/2025 – 14:57

Years in the making, the Complete Street remake of U.S. Highway 278 (North Avondale Road/East College Avenue) is designed to turn Avondale’s main drag into a more attractive, efficient, accessible, and safer corridor for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

The project remains on schedule and budget, and it recently reached a “big milestone” by completing all stormwater pipe installation and underground utility relocation along the corridor, according to Avondale Estates spokesperson Ellen Powell.

Another new addition is decorative pavers in Avondale’s Tudor Village meant to echo the area’s architecture and expand outdoor seating options.

Ongoing infrastructure work along North Avondale Road this week. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

The most recent, updated overview of Complete Streets progress along U.S. Highway 278 (North Avondale Road/East College Avenue). Courtesy of Avondale Estates

The project is remaking a five-lane highway and basic sidewalk that pass the Town Green and many of Avondale Estates’ most popular restaurants and shops, reducing the roadway to three lanes for roughly 1.15 miles.

At the western end, the Complete Street will start at Sams Crossing near MARTA’s Avondale station; from there, it will travel past the new park and through downtown, ending at Ashton Place.

Changes in between call for a 10-foot-wide path for pedestrians and bicyclists, upgraded traffic signals, a center median, landscape buffer, pedestrian and bike crossings, as well as road repaving and re-striping.

According to Powell, Complete Street hardscape installation is continuing, including work on the multimodal path in places along the corridor. Once that’s wrapped, landscaping and signal installation will come this autumn, per Powell.

Recently completed aspects of the project include new pavers in Avondale’s Tudor Village that aim to reflect the distinctive architecture. Also shown is new seating in front of Galette bakery and a fresh Avon Theater marquee that returns the sign to its historic structure.Courtesy of Ellen Powell/Avondale Estates

Construction this week near My Parents’ Basement restaurant. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

City documents pertaining to the project stipulate the winning bidder was required to complete construction within 18 months.

Powell said this week the project is on pace to finish sometime in January next year.

In conjunction with the Town Green and a growing slate of retail and event spaces, the Complete Street project aims to create a more walkable, bikeable, and cohesive downtown for the DeKalb County city.

The roadway and narrow sidewalk in question today. Courtesy of Avondale Estates

How a remade U.S. Highway 278 (North Avondale Road/East College Avenue) is expected to look and function through Avondale Estates’ downtown area. Courtesy of Avondale Estates