ATLANTA (May 17, 2002) - To complement the opening of Georgia World Congress Center's Phase IV Expansion, the new Philips Arena and the new Omni Hotel expansion, the Georgia Department of Transportation will begin reconstruction of a small portion of Andrew Young International Boulevard between Marietta Street and the GWCC East Plaza Entrance. The viaduct, which separates the Georgia World Congress Center and the Georgia Dome from CNN Center and Philips Arena, will be completely reconstructed during a three-year project.

This project will expand Andrew Young International Boulevard to a full four lanes leading to the Georgia World Congress Center and the Georgia Dome. It will be designed to incorporate contemporary lighting and landscaping corresponding to previous improvements of this major roadway through Centennial Olympic Park and by the Georgia Dome.

During the reconstruction of this project, all vehicular traffic will be routed on Centennial Olympic Park Drive to the upper portion of Andrew Young International Boulevard at the Georgia Dome, Philips Arena and the GWCC main Entrance Concourse. Drivers are encouraged to use Centennial Olympic Park Drive or Northside Drive to access the convention, sports and entertainment complex.

Pedestrian traffic will be routed through and around the CNN Center. All facilities are working closely with the Georgia Department of Transportation to minimize any inconvenience to the millions of attendees who annually patronize these facilities. "Working with our partners at the CNN Center and Philips Arena, we will route pedestrians through Centennial Olympic Park and into the CNN Center," said GWCC Police Chief Alan Davis. "The detour through CNN Center saves quite a distance for pedestrians and allows them to access Andrew Young International Boulevard in front of Philips Arena and our main entrance, bypassing the construction."

The Department of Transportation is slated to begin construction in mid-June. While construction is slated for completion in mid-2005, GWCC and CNN officials estimate pedestrians will have access to Andrew Young International Boulevard by the end of next year.