FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 25, 2017

MEDIA ALERT

MARTA POLICE RECREATE TERROR ATTACK DURING GEORGIA’S LARGEST EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EXERCISE

September 30th Exercise includes Explosions, Simulated Injuries; Modifies Evening Rail Service

ATLANTA— The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Police Department will host Georgia’s largest emergency preparedness exercise on Saturday, Sept. 30, beginning at 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. the following morning. The full-scale exercise, taking place at MARTA’s Midtown Station, will simulate a crisis scenario complete with explosions, smoke and actors to help create a realistic setting for first responders.

“These exercises are a critical tool that enable us to assess our response to crisis situations and identify areas for improvements,” said MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker. “The recent terror attack on London’s rail system as well as natural disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma underscore the importance of running various scenarios.”

Beginning at 9 p.m. on Sept. 30, service on the north and southbound red or gold rail service lines will be interrupted. MARTA will establish a bus bridge to bypass the exercise. Patrons utilizing the bus bridge will be directed to exit at Arts Center Station or North Avenue Station and board a MARTA bus that will take them to the next available station.

MARTA officials are contacting local businesses and residents about the planned exercise to minimize confusion and alarm. “Businesses and residents in a five-mile radius of the MARTA Midtown Station may hear loud noises and see heavy police activity as part of this year’s exercise,” MARTA Police Chief Wanda Dunham said.

MARTA Emergency Preparedness Manager Lieutenant Aston Greene will be available for interviews about the exercise on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Midtown Station.

AT-A-GLANCE :

What: MARTA’s annual full-scale emergency preparedness exercise When: September 30, 2017; 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. Where: MARTA’s Midtown Station Media Availability: Thursday, September 28, 2017; 2 p.m. until 3 p.m., Midtown Station Media Notes: Simulated attack to look and sound real with loud explosion and smoke

Actors portraying victims will be in makeup to simulate realistic injuries

No parking allowed at Midtown Station

Rail service for MARTA patrons will be modified to accommodate the exercise

MARTA station agents will assist patrons utilizing the bus bridge Road Closures: In support of the exercise, the following roads will be closed to through traffic: Peachtree Place NE from West Peachtree St. NW to Peachtree St. NE beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 30.

10th St. NE from West Peachtree St. NW to Peachtree St. NE beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 30.

Road closures will remain in place until 5 a.m. on Sunday Oct. 1st.

Limited access will be provided for the Regency Suites parking deck and the Alta Midtown parking deck.

MARTA Police Department Midtown Station(Bus Reroutes/Diverted)

MPD will be sponsoring a Full-Scale Exercise Saturday, September 30, 2017. As part of the exercise, beginning at 7:30 pm Bus Routes 12, 27 & 36 will be rerouted and diverted from Midtown Station to Arts Center Station.

The reroutes will be as follows:



Route #12 from Cumberland Transfer Center to Arts Center Station (Inbound)

Continue regular route to 10th Street and W. Peachtree Street

Left – W. Peachtree St.

Right – 15th St.

Left into Arts Center Station

Route #12 from Arts Center Station to Cumberland Transfer Center (Inbound)

Exit Arts Center Station:

Right – 15th St.

Right – W. Peachtree Rd.

Left – 16th St.

Left – Spring St.

Right – 10th St.

Route #27 from Lindbergh Station to Arts Center Station (Inbound)

Continue regular route to 14th Street and Juniper St.

Cont.: 14th St.

Right – Peachtree St.

Left – 15th St.

Right into Arts Center Station

Route #27 from Arts Center Station to Lindbergh Station (Outbound)

Exit Arts Center Station:

Left – 15th St.

Right – Peachtree Rd.

Left – 14th St.

Route #36 from Decatur Station to Midtown Station (Inbound)

Continue regular route to 10th Street and Peachtree Street

Right - Peachtree St.

Left – 15th St.

Right into Arts Center Station