SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — Drivers in the City of South Fulton are being warned to expect delays and give themselves extra time, as a major road closure is expected to remain in place for several months.
Fairburn Road closed Monday morning on the north and south ends of Utoy Creek as crews began work on an improvement project.
The closure came after several delays pushed back the start of construction.
For some drivers, the closure came as a surprise.
“This is my normal route,” said driver Angel Davis. “My daughter goes to Mays, so I didn’t even know this was blocked off.”
Gregory Harris said he saw a road warning about the closure.
“When I saw the billboard flashing, I just turned around,” Harris said.
The City of South Fulton says crews are building two new bridges as part of the Fairburn Road Improvement Project.
Harris said he knew the construction was coming.
“I know about the bridge, about the construction, so we’re kinda prepared for it,” he said.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Diners at Georgia Longhorn Steakhouse could have been exposed to measles
- Andy Stanley to step down as North Point Ministries senior pastor
- Georgia amendments: What do the questions on 2026 ballot mean?
But other drivers are worried about the impact the closure will have on traffic.
“I think it’s going to be a mess, but we’re going to have to deal with it,” driver Christopher Hughes said.
The road closure comes as the Georgia Department of Transportation is also planning closures on Interstate 285 in the area, adding to concerns about congestion.
Business owners along Fairburn Road say the traffic problems are already affecting them.
“My business is at the top of the street, so this is delaying my money,” Davis said.
Drivers were seen cutting through the Walmart parking lot to get around the closure.
The city’s official detour sends drivers to Lindhurst Drive, from Cascade Road to Benjamin E. Mays Drive.
Some drivers say they are bracing for a difficult few months.
“I feel sorry for the working people,” Harris said. “Thank God I’m retired.”
For others, the best advice is simply to slow down and leave with enough time.
“Everybody is going to have to be patient and quit rushing everybody,” Hughes said.
The city expects the Fairburn Road construction to be completed in March.
Channel 2 Action News also checked with GDOT about the I-285 closures. The closures between Cascade Road and Langford Parkway are planned for this weekend and next weekend.
Drivers should allow extra time and consider alternate routes while the construction continues.