Buckhead road closure causes gridlock

ATLANTA,None — Buckhead drivers beware -- a construction project that is repairing a storm water drain on Lenox Road is causing frustration, delays and gridlock.

The project is blocking Lenox Road between Lenox Way and Crane Road, making it nearly impossible to travel between Lenox Square and Buford Highway.

Channel 2's Diana Davis reported dozens of drivers tried to get around signs that mark the road closure only to realize a few blocks away that there's no way to pass through.

"There were signs saying the road was closed. It didn't say how far. There were no police officers directing and telling everyone to turn around," driver Sid Hanks told Davis.

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Repairs to the storm drain have been under way for some time, but the road was completely closed on Thursday and it will remain blocked until next Wednesday.

"They determined that the damage was too severe and they were afraid if they kept it open a car would go into a sinkhole," said Janet Ward with Atlanta Watershed Management.

Carl Fields lives in the area and told Davis the road closure has been sporadic until yesterday.

"All they had to was close the road for a day or two, fix the doggone hole and call it a day. Instead of one day they have it closed and it open the next couple of days with the metal grate over it. As much tax dollars as I pay right here that's ridiculous. This is jacked up," Fields said.

The repairs have no impact on Lenox Square. The mall is open as usual but shoppers need to approach the area from Peachtree Road.

WSBTV