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Metro Atlanta Region...
Check out Georgia DOT's Weekend Report
ATLANTA --The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will suspend construction-related lane closures on Georgia interstates and state routes near major shopping areas, tourist locations and recreation centers beginning Friday, August 30 at 12 p.m. until 5 a.m. Tuesday, September 3 to allow for the anticipated increase in Labor Day weekend traffic congestion.
The Department notes that some work may continue on lesser-traveled state and local system roads and that incident or emergency maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary on any route. If motor vehicle accidents occur on any roadway, temporary lane closures may be installed until the scenes are cleared.
While construction related lane closures will be suspended, the department reminds travelers to exercise caution as crews may still work near highways, and safety concerns associated with Hurricane Idalia may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place. In addition, incident management, emergency or maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any route.
Lane closure suspensions have also been put into effect to ease any possibility of congestion as Hurricane Idalia approaches the southeastern U.S. Given Gov. Kemp's declaration of a State of Emergency for Georgia, Georgia DOT is monitoring Hurricane Idalia's trajectory and changes to predictions on how the storm will affect the state. The department has teams statewide and will have equipment loaded and crews are on alert, including immediate-response strike teams ready to respond should the storm bring severe weather anywhere in the state.
For detailed information on permitted closures, the public can visit: http://www.dot.ga.gov/ds/metrolaneclosures. Lane closure information can be accessed by selecting the desired option within the search filter and clicking the submit button. The search filter will sort information by traffic impact level, county, interstate or state route. The weekend lane closure schedule will be posted on a weekly basis and will be accessible from 4 p.m., Thursday until 10 a.m., Monday.
Traffic will likely be heavy in various metro Atlanta locations with Dragon Con and Atlanta Black Pride activities from Thursday to Monday in downtown Atlanta; college football at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday; major festivities in Stone Mountain Park, Grant Park and Old Fourth Ward Park on and two marathon races throughout metro Atlanta.
Georgia DOT's 7-day travel forecast for metro Atlanta interstates this holiday weekend indicates the heaviest traffic volumes will occur on Friday, August 30 and Saturday, August 31. Typical traffic is predicted on Thursday, August 29. Light to normal traffic is expected on both Sunday, September 1 and Monday, September 2. Forecasts are based on historical traffic volumes on similar dates around the Labor Day weekend. Please note the below changes to the South Metro Corridor Express Lane operational schedule beginning Friday, August 30 through Monday, September 2. No changes are expected for the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes. Schedules are subject to change due to current traffic needs.
Please note the below changes to the South Metro Corridor Express Lane operational schedule beginning Friday, August 30 through Monday, September 2:
The blue directions indicate a change from the usual schedule.
Be Prepared
Make sure your vehicle inspection is up to date
Check conditions of your tires before you begin your trip. Make sure they are properly inflated and replace any tires that are worn, uneven or damaged. Monitor gauges while driving. If a warning light appears, be sure to stop or safely pull over before trouble arises. Prepare a safety kit and store it in your vehicle.
What to do for a breakdown or crash
In the event of a crash or breakdown, GDOT advises motorists to never get out of the car on a freeway, unless your life is in imminent danger. If possible, pull off the road, turn on your hazard lights and stay seat-belted in the vehicle with the doors locked.
Motorist Assistance Available
Motorists needing roadway assistance on interstates inside the metro Atlanta area or services on the interstate roadways outside of the metro area are asked to call 511 or visit www.511ga.org to request HERO assistance in metro Atlanta or CHAMP service on highways in other regions of the state to assist them. When placing these calls, it is important to provide current location, nearest exit number and the interstate the motorist is traveling. In addition, provide the make and model of the vehicle.
Dialing 511 is a free phone service allowing motorists to seek help or to report crashes, roadway debris or signal disruptions, but it also provides real-time statewide travel information on Georgia's interstates and state routes, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.
Move Over Law
Should you pass an accident, follow Georgia's Move-Over Law which states drivers must move over one lane or slow down and be prepared to stop when approaching a stationary law enforcement or other emergency vehicle, construction crew, utility service vehicle, or Georgia DOT HERO or CHAMP operator utilizing traffic cones or flashing emergency lights in the roadway or located on the shoulder.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that approximately 9,560 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the first quarter of 2022. This is approximately a 7 percent increase as compared to the 8,935 fatalities projected for the same quarter in 2021. This would be the highest number of first-quarter fatalities since 2002. Georgia DOT takes this historic rise in traffic fatalities on our roadways seriously and urges all motorists to always Drive Alert Arrive Alive. Motorists and passengers are urged to wear a seat belt and eliminate unsafe driving behavior such as distracted driving, speeding and driving under the influence.
Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia's state and federal highways. We're involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. The Department's vision is to boost Georgia's competitiveness through leadership in transportation.
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Georgia Department of Transportation