Skanska USA Building has officially kicked off what it calls the “surgical deconstruction” of the massive concrete canopy at MARTA’s Five Points Station in downtown Atlanta. The meticulous operation marks the first major step in a $230 million overhaul aimed at transforming the transit hub into a brighter, more accessible, and more community-oriented anchor in the city’s core.
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Announced Nov. 11, the work involves dismantling a highly complex, decades-old canopy made of pre-stressed concrete beams, hollow-core slabs, glazing, post-tension cables, and supporting columns. The project’s difficulty is heightened by the fact that the subterranean station must remain open and fully operational throughout the removal.
Once the concrete canopy is fully removed, MARTA and Skanska will replace it with a sweeping 32,000-square-foot mass timber canopy, offering natural light, greater visibility and safer, more intuitive pedestrian flow. The redesign will also consolidate and expand access, creating three new pedestrian entrances and opening the station’s layout to the surrounding city blocks.
The deconstruction phase is part of a major reimagining of the 144,400-square-foot Five Points Station, which will eventually include enhanced transit connectivity, upgraded amenities, and additional street-level programming. MARTA describes the long-term vision as a “vibrant city center” that supports both transit riders and the broader downtown community.
Since opening in 1981, Five Points Station has served as MARTA’s busiest and most essential rail nexus—linking all rail lines in the system. Today, MARTA’s combined operations extend across 48 miles of rail, 2.7 miles of streetcar track, and more than 1,000 miles of bus routes. Modernizing the station is seen as a critical step toward improving mobility for the region’s rapidly growing population.
Skanska anticipates that canopy removal will continue through 2027, a timeline that reflects both the engineering challenges and the need to maintain safe daily operations for thousands of riders. The firm is also positioned to serve as the contractor on future phases of the redevelopment.
“We’re excited to contribute to the revitalization of the Five Points Station as MARTA and the city work to create a more dynamic urban core in downtown Atlanta,” said Matt Frey, executive vice president and general manager for Skanska’s Atlanta-based building operations. Frey noted that the project aligns with the company’s global expertise—Skanska is headquartered in Stockholm and has led major infrastructure projects worldwide.
Beyond transit improvements, the next phases of the Five Points reimagining will incorporate expanded public amenities, including:
These additions are designed to reposition Five Points as not just a transportation point—but a destination that supports downtown revival efforts.
The station’s reconstruction is financed through a combination of sources, including:
The multilevel funding structure underscores the scale of the project and its importance to the region’s long-term mobility strategy.
Originally reported by Zachary Phillips in Construction Dive.
