Atlanta Police department ran traffic for Braves games and managed to screw up traffic for the whole city for years. They close the interstate exit next to the stadium. They close off side streets so there's only one way for all of Atlanta into the parking lots. You can't drive from one side of the stadium to the other because they close off one block off Henry Aaron Blvd and you have to go around, but you have to park in designated lots. I usually take the back way in and park in a non official lot but for one game this year I had a parking pass to their "best" lot. I got to within two blocks and didn't move for 45 minutes. I turned around and paid again to park where I usually do because they cannot get people into and out of a stupid parking lot.
If you follow the posted signage around town to turner Field you can't get there without being directed onto the interstate going south, then turning around and heading back north. For a couple summers they started bridge construction with multiple interstate lanes closed at the same time the braves games ended. They couldn't wait 1 hour for 35,000+ people to clear but instead made you wait in traffic after every game.
Don't even think about making it on time of there are any other events in Atlanta as it's much worse.
Instead of having busses pick people up outside the subway stop marta makes them walk through underground atlanta to another street to get the bus. Makes the already long trip longer and is simply an attempt to drive a little business to the vendors at underground. Nothing the city of Atlanta, APD or marta does is in the interest of braves fans or the braves in general. You complain to various braves reps but they are powerless as the city has all the power and no accountability.
I've seen what happened around Coors Field in Denver and can compare it to the lack of anything but vacant homes and run down apt blocks around Turner Field.
The Braves game experience for most Atlantans consisted of fighting traffic to get near the stadium then waiting in more traffic to get into a parking lot, then a long hot walk to the stadium where you're bound to be late for first pitch. There is no option to meet your buddies at the bar before or after the game. You wouldn't go anywhere near Turner Field for any reason but to go to a game, especially after dark.
Also Turner field is converted from the Olympic stadium. The stadium seats are the same ones they hurriedly wedged in back before the '96 games. They're not arranged for baseball. Seats in the stadium curve pinch in. Whole sections face into the outfield so you have to turn your head sideways to see the pitches.
Also Atlanta's mayor is trying to enforce a monopoly contract to vend on sidewalks. People that have sold peanuts, water and tshirts for years are being told they have to pony up big bucks to the one company the city has granted a contract for street vending. They even went through the hassle of installing a low wrought iron fence around one sidewalk spot that had been used for years to sell to braves fans just to spite the vendor because he sued.
I am 100% in favor of the braves getting the hell out of downtown atlanta.
Havent been to a Braves game in 10 years, and never go to Cobb county if I can help it.
