An introduction from DOT Chief Opportunities Officer Stephanie Jones:

Last spring as part of our Ladders of Opportunity initiative, the Department of Transportation launched LadderS^TEP, a Transportation Empowerment Pilot providing technical assistance to cities and convening public-private partners to advance community-revitalizing transportation projects. By working with Mayors and their senior staff, we helped identify long-term goals and develop implementation plans that support transportation investment, foster strategic alliances through our resource partners, and strengthen local capacity.

Beginning today and continuing into next week, we look forward to sharing with you observations by the Mayors about the progress made through LadderSTEP.

Like my fellow Mayors across the country, my job as is often all about infrastructure. I work most days to keep our vital systems and services operating smoothly. This includes finding additional resources to make important and urgent investments in our infrastructure.

Over the past two years, transportation and transit infrastructure have been top priorities. Opening the new Atlanta Streetcar, expanding the Atlanta BeltLine, passing the $250 million Renew Atlanta infrastructure bond, and pushing forward on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive streetscape improvement project - these projects can transform the city of Atlanta one neighborhood at a time.

Dr. King has the honor of having streets in cities across the country named for him, yet all too often these streets are neglected and are found in neighborhoods challenged by poverty and low levels of employment. City crews began work on the project this year, to upgrade medians and street lighting, create new bike lanes, and expand sidewalks. Cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike will have a smoother, better experience. When complete, the street will be a national model for all Martin Luther King boulevards and will be a source of pride and connection for the city he once called home.

The Vine City, English Avenue, and Atlanta University Center neighborhoods – historically challenged by poverty, unemployment and crime - run along Northside Drive and now neighbor the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.  Increasing transportation and transit access for these communities is a crucial building block for long-term, sustainable change. Vine City is served by MARTA, the region’s transit provider, yet the station does not easily connect across Northside Drive and to the opportunities offered by the new stadium.

Improving connectivity at the Vine City station supports the transit-oriented development MARTA has been pushing for, and supports broader economic development in this neighborhood as well.

That’s why the City of Atlanta will soon begin construction on a stunning new pedestrian bridge connecting to the Vine City MARTA station and crossing over Northside Drive. The City recently shared the proposed design with community members, and I am pleased that the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Both the Martin Luther King, Jr. streetscape improvement project and the pedestrian bridge are examples of how my administration has focused on bringing best-in-class infrastructure to the Westside, and people have responded with hope and pride.

As a former mayor, Secretary Foxx understands that this continued growth requires federal support and technical assistance at the local level, and that is exactly what his Transportation Empowerment Pilot, Ladders^TEP, is. He has recognized that improving local infrastructure translates to the kind of economic growth that doesn’t leave anyone behind.

That is his vision for America, and that is my vision for Atlanta.

Kasim Reed is the 59^th Mayor of the City of Atlanta.