As Part 1 of a three-phase transportation update, the Atlanta Braves announced that beginning with the 2017 season, their weekday evening home games will begin at 7:30 p.m. Combined with the more than $2 billion in public infrastructure enhancements along the Northwest corridor and the Cumberland area, the new start time is expected to create an improved travel experience for fans and commuters 365 days a year.

The Braves leadership team made the decision to push the start time following a comprehensive traffic data study by Kimley-Horn, which indicated the majority of afternoon traffic clears out by 7 p.m. each day.

In addition to announcing a later start time, the Braves launched a new website -- BravesUpdate.com -- extensively detailing the multitude of infrastructure improvements and plans for easing congestion and enabling easy access to the new ballpark and mixed-use development, including 14 primary access points (compared to two at Turner Field), 360-degree parking surrounding the ballpark, three new pedestrian bridges, more total parking spaces and 15 percent fewer in-stadium seats.

"We recognize that traffic in the Atlanta area is an issue, and certainly has been a key frustration at Turner Field before and after ball games," said Mike Plant, Braves president, development. "But the combination of tremendous infrastructure improvements, 360-degree access to the ballpark, pre and postgame activities at The Battery Atlanta and our new start time will make travel to and from SunTrust Park a better experience for our fans."

The website further outlines significant investments in technology by the Braves, such as the development of a new smartphone app for buying tickets, reserving parking spaces and receiving turn-by-turn navigation to those spaces. In addition, it spotlights collaborations with public transportation services CobbLinc and the Cumberland Circulator, as well as new features for Braves fans at SunTrust Park, including a bike valet and expanded ridesharing pick-up and drop-off locations.

"At SunTrust Park, we will be closer to the majority of our fans and benefit from the multitude of transportation enhancements, many that were already underway or planned for the area," Plant said. "These improvements are going to make traveling to the ballpark a much more enjoyable experience for the majority of Braves Country."