olympic torch tower/atlanta traffic {march 9, 2023}

On the 1-75/85 connector in Atlanta stands the Olympic Torch Tower. Even though the official torch cauldron that Muhammad Ali lit in 1996 is three miles away this torch is the more visible reminder that the world descended upon Atlanta for the Centennial Olympic Games. It’s just a stones’ throw away from the hundreds of thousands vehicles that zoom through Atlanta’s major transportation artery on a daily basis.

This 123-foot-tall torch observation deck was a tourist highlight of Atlanta, even though it was built by a developer who had nothing to do with the Olympics. It was built not to commemorate, but to profit from the Olympic games. Visitors paid to climb the stairs for the view of downtown Atlanta. Needless to say the local Olympic officials weren’t too pleased about this roadside attraction.

7:00 p.m. Sunday evening traffic