Crews to shut down Beltline bridge on Ponce

ATLANTA — Construction crews will shut down busy Ponce de Leon Avenue on Friday night until early Monday morning as they get an old train trestle ready for the new Beltline Trail.

Crews will close down Ponce starting at 9 p.m. Friday and won't reopen it until 5 a.m. Monday.

"It's going to be a big inconvenience because I have to walk. I don't have a car," said Kamani Davis. He walks Ponce every day to visit restaurants or grocery stores. "I'll have to take another route," Davis said.

Eats Restaurant owner Robert Hatcher said he received a certified letter Friday from the construction company warning him that Ponce would be closed between Ponce de Leon Place and Glen Iris Drive, something that would affect his business.

He made a quick phone call to the Atlanta Beltline where he said officials there told him access points to local restaurants and businesses would be kept open so customers can still reach them.

"I'm hoping it won't impact us," said Hatcher. "People will just have to go around the block. But I think (the Beltline) is a great thing for Atlanta. Glad to see it happening."

Crews will repeat the closure of Ponce de Leon Avenue next weekend, as well.

WSBTV