Local

Construction brings delays for drivers this weekend

ATLANTA — Drivers are urged to check their routes this weekend as several areas are expected to see delays due to roadwork.

The Georgia DOT is encouraging motorists to avoid I-285 on the top end of the perimeter as contractors will have triple lane closures in place in several locations as the resurfacing project continues, weather permitting.  Construction and maintenance work will also be under way on several state routes around metro Atlanta throughout the weekend, DOT officials said.

From 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, crews will close the three eastbound lanes from Paces Ferry Road to Ashford Dunwoody Road and two or three westbound lanes from Riverside Drive to Paces Ferry Road.  Several ramps will be closed at various times during the weekend as the paving operations pass.

"We cannot emphasize enough that there will be extensive delays all weekend across the top end in both directions," said GDOT District Construction Engineer Lee Upkins. "Motorists have a choice: find alternate routes or be prepared for the delays."

Other projects affecting traffic this weekend include bridge work on State Route 400 northbound and work around the Sidney Marcus Boulevard/State Route 13 intersection.

The right lane of Interstate 20 eastbound will be closed in south DeKalb County from I-285 to Wesley Chapel Road until 5 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

Drivers in Cherokee County will likely see stalls as the right lane of I-575 northbound at Sixes Road will be closed until 5 a.m. Sunday.

People attending sports events are advised to head to their venues early.

The Braves and Mets will face off at Turner Field just after 7 p.m. Saturday. The Georgia Tech-Middle Tennessee State football game will be at noon Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium and the Morehouse-Clark Atlanta football game  will kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday at Panthers Stadium.

In Athens, the Bulldogs take on Tennessee at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Also on Saturday, the Georgia Dome will be hosting the annual Atlanta Football Classic, with Florida A&M University. FAMU will take on Southern University at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. In conjunction with that game, the Parade of Excellence, aired on WSB-TV, stepped off downtown earlier Saturday.