ATLANTA – Weather and onsite conditions permitting, contractor work crews on behalf of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has rescheduled the full closure of all northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 285 (I-285) between State Route (SR) 139/Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive (exit 9) and Cascade Road (exit 7) in Fulton County.
“While necessary for timely completion of the ongoing construction required to rebuild this segment of I-285, this closure will have significant impacts on travel throughout the metro area,” GDOT said.
The closure will begin 7 p.m. Friday, May 15, and remain in place until 5 a.m. Monday, May 18, weather and on-site conditions permitting.
GDOT said no traffic will be permitted through this section of I-285 at any time during the closure.
Major regional impact
This is a full interstate closure on one of metro Atlanta’s most heavily traveled corridors. Motorists should expect,
significant, region-wide delays across metro Atlanta; heavy congestion on I-20, I-75/I-85, and SR 166/Langford Parkway, and spillover traffic on local roads throughout southwest Atlanta and Fulton County.
“Anyone traveling anywhere in the metro Atlanta area this weekend should plan ahead,” GDOT said.
Drivers are strongly advised to allow substantial extra travel time, consider alternate routes or adjust travel times, and check traffic conditions before leaving using the 511GA app or other navigation tools or wayfinding apps.
Detour information
Clearly marked detours will be in place with
southbound I-285 traffic diverted to I-20 (Exit 10) to I-75/I-85 southbound. Northbound and westbound I-285 traffic diverted to SR 166/Langford Parkway (Exit 5).
Overhead message boards and roadside signage will alert drivers well in advance of the closure.
Project details
This closure supports the ongoing I-285 westside reconstruction project, which spans 10 miles from SR 14/South Fulton Parkway in College Park to Collier Road.
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
