Last weekend, GDOT announced their huge I-285 Westside rebuild program, but later had to postpone the project due to weather. Their newly scheduled dates? This weekend… in other words. Get ready for some BIG traffic delays this weekend, Atlanta. Keep scrolling for all the details.
What section of I-285 will be shut down for the roadwork?
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation,
Weather and onsite conditions permitting, 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. 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
🚧 No traffic will be permitted through this section of I-285 at any time during the closure.
Please note that additional full closures of segments of I-285 are expected to help facilitate faster construction for the duration of these projects.
When will I-285 be closed?
Weather permitting, the closure will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, May 15th, and remain in place until 5 a.m. Monday, May 18th.
Here’s what travelers can expect:
- Significant, region-wide delays across metro Atlanta
- Heavy congestion on I-20, I-75/I-85, and SR 166/Langford Parkway
- Spillover traffic on local roads throughout southwest Atlanta and Fulton County
If at all possible, avoid the area/unnecessary travel. The Georgia Department of Transportation recommends:
- Avoid the I-285 corridor on the west side of Atlanta
- Review routes before starting any trip this weekend
- Use the 511GA app or other wayfinding apps for real-time Georgia-specific updates
- Expect changing traffic patterns and follow all posted signage
Here are GDOT’s detour routes (which will also be clearly marked for drivers)
- 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)
Stay safe, Atlanta. And if you can… stay OFF of I-285!