Drivers fed up with weekend construction

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Road construction is causing some big headaches for drivers this weekend, particularly at I-285 and I-20 in DeKalb County.

Work there has both I-20 east exits off of I-285 closed. Channel 2's Ashley Swann heard from a lot of frustrated drivers Saturday as they sat in long backups caused by the detour.

“Oh, it's backed up. It's backed up quite a ways,” Kathy Stephens said.

“It’s bad. It's terrible. It (doesn't) make (any) sense,” another driver said.

Drivers trying to get to I-20 east from I-285 were being rerouted westbound on I-20 to Candler Road to turn around. The detour caused big backups and complaints.

“I wish they would've told us beforehand that the exit was closed so now we have to come around,” said Stephens.

"I think they could at least let one lane through and not shut down the whole exit,” driver Alysa Kerr said.

This is the latest in a series of weekend road projects that are jamming interstates and flaring tempers all over metro Atlanta. Repaving work along I-20 eastbound around Wesley Chapel Road has been especially painful for those who live east of town, many of whom tell us their patience is growing thin.

“Just tired of it. This is like the second or third weekend that it's been like this,” Kerr said.

There were no reports of backups Sunday morning, but traffic is expected to pick up throughout the day.

Across the top end of I-285, up to three lanes will be closed in both directions for paving all weekend. Also, as part of the project there will be several ramps closed at several exits during the overnight hours.

Also on I-285, up to three lanes in both directions will be closed all weekend between Bolton Road and I-20 for concrete slab work.

On State Route 400 at I-85, various single-lane closures in both directions will be in place as construction on the big interchange project continues.  Delays are expected and drivers should seek alternate routes to avoid backups.

As part of the same project, contractors will continue flagging operations on surface streets around the interchange and the HOV ramps at I-85 and Lindbergh Drive remain closed until mid-July for work on the bridge columns for the interchange.

On the Buford-Spring Connector (SR 13) northbound, one right lane is closed from Monroe Drive to the I-85 ramp and will remain closed until early September for work on the SR 400/I-85 interchange project.

Additionally, another lane will be closed on the Buford-Spring Connector northbound, also from Monroe Drive to I-85, this weekend for bridge joint work. As a result, only one lane will be open this weekend on the Buford-Spring Connector northbound. Georgia Department of Transportation urges drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

Meanwhile, work planned for I-75 and I-85 northbound Sunday is being rescheduled to accommodate Father's Day and Braves game traffic.

WSBTV