News

Roadwork could snarl traffic around town this weekend

ATLANTA — Weekend roadwork threatens to snarl Atlanta interstates this weekend.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has projects underway on Interstate 20 through Fulton, DeKalb, Rockdale and Newton counties. The department warns drivers to just avoid I-20 all together this weekend, if possible. If not, expect long delays.

"We have three projects with significant lane closures on I-20 this weekend, one in Rockdale County, one inside 285, and one in Douglas County," said District Construction Engineer Shun Pringle.  "We are expecting long delays particularly in Douglas and Rockdale counties during the daytime hours on Saturday and Sunday."

WSB-TV's Steve Gehlbach reports that lane closures on I-20 east in Rockdale have already begun early Saturday morning. Both left lanes are closed from State Road 138 to the Almon Road exit in Newton County, a total of about six miles. Those lanes will be closed all weekend for milling and paving. Long delays are expected.

Last weekend, two lanes were closed along I-20 for repaving with some drivers telling WSB-TV they sat in traffic for two hours.

"We understand that it is a huge inconvenience for motorists to have to deal with interstate lane closures every weekend during the summer, but I hope they understand that in order for us to be able to maintain our roads and bridges, we have to be out there every good-weather weekend we can during the paving season," added Pringle. "So please plan those alternate routes and save yourself some time and grief."


In the City of Atlanta, three right westbound lanes will be closed each night from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on I-20 from Capitol Avenue to Windsor Street for restriping. These lanes will only be closed overnights and will be reopened during the daytime hours.
 
Also inside the perimeter on I-20 westbound in Dekalb County, the exit and entrance ramps from Candler Road to Glenwood Avenue will be closed at various times during the overnight hours Saturday night for restriping.

West of the City, one right lane will be closed in both directions on I-20 between Liberty Road and State Route 5 in Douglas County from 9 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday for asphalt patching and bridge joint repairs.  The Department is asking NASCAR fans who are traveling to and from Talladega for the race this weekend to seek alternate routes such as SR 92 and SR 8 on the north side of I-20 or SR 166 and SR 61 south of I-20.

Most of the remaining weekend work will occur at night including rolling lane closures on interstates across the metro area for sweeping operations.

All work is weather permitting.

Motorists are encouraged to dial 511 from any phone to receive real-time traffic conditions from the Department's Transportation Management Center.

All lanes should be re-opened by 5 a.m. on Monday morning.