We’ve got some bad news if you’re planning on driving anywhere this weekend, Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is shutting down all lanes of I-285 on Atlanta’s west side this weekend. And we’re expecting major traffic from it. Keep scrolling to learn more.
Wait… what’s going on?
This weekend, ALL lanes of I-285 on ATL’s west side (that’s northbound and southbound) will be shut down for construction.
According to a GDOT press release,
Contractor work crews on behalf of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will implement a 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.
Importantly, NO TRAFFIC will be permitted through this section of I-285 at any time during the closure.
Okay… what are the alternative routes?
Clearly marked detours will be in place during construction. The detours will be:
- For southbound I-285 traffic:
- Diverted to I-20 (Exit 10) → I-75/I-85 southbound
- For 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.
Fine. When does it start?
The closure will begin 7 p.m. on Friday, May 8th, 2026.
And when will it end?
The roads will open up in time for work traffic on Monday morning, reopening at 5 a.m. Monday, May 11th. (This is, of course, weather and on-site conditions permitting.)
What should I do?
First of all, know that there WILL be traffic this weekend. Be ready for it.
GDOT states that motorist should expect:
- Significant, region-wide delays across metro Atlanta and potentially the larger region throughout the weekend
- Heavy congestion on I-20, I-75/I-85 (Downtown Connector), and Langford Parkway (SR 166)
- Spillover traffic on local roads throughout southwest Atlanta and Fulton County
Check your traffic apps before leaving the house, and ensure that you’ve built in extra time to get places. Avoid the I-285 corridor on the west side of Atlanta, if at ALL possible.
Best of luck with the traffic this weekend, Atlanta.
