G-DOT Suspends Road Work In Anticipation of Ian

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is monitoring Hurricane Ian’s trajectory and changes to predictions on how the storm will affect the state.

To help ease potential congestion along evacuation routes, as of Wednesday, G-DOT has halted all projects requiring lane closures along Interstates 16, 75, and 95 south of Atlanta, and all maintenance and utility projects.

Additionally, the I-75 South Metro Express Lanes were switched to all northbound on Wednesday to accommodate the influx of evacuees from Florida.

Georgia’s Express Lanes system accepts the Florida SunPass and the North Carolina Quick Pass.

Welcome Centers and Rest Areas in South, Central, and Coastal Georgia are also now in a 24-hour operation.

G-DOT teams statewide have equipment loaded and crews are on alert, including immediate-response strike teams ready to respond should the storm turn into a severe weather event anywhere in the state.

Impacts are expected to begin as early as today in South Georgia and last through Saturday with wind gusts expected to be 34 mph or more.

Rain and downed trees and power lines are the primary concern for Georgia.

As the storm makes its way through Georgia, crews will begin clean-up efforts to ensure roads remain clear for emergency personnel use. For their safety, Georgia DOT crews monitor weather conditions at all times and will stop clean-up efforts when sustained winds reach 39 mph. Work will resume once wind speeds die down.

As we prepare for Hurricane Ian to move through Georgia, motorists are reminded to be cautious of strong winds, flooding, downed power lines, and the potential for falling trees.

– Call 511 to report flash flooding, downed trees, or other obstructions that impede travel on roadways or bridges
– Do not drive around barricades that are in place for motorist safety or through standing water
– Residents should never clear tree limbs, downed trees, or debris from roadways because live power lines could be tangled in debris and can cause injury or death; instead, wait for Georgia DOT, EMC, and Georgia Power crews
– And motorists who must drive should always treat flashing red and non-operational signals as a four-way stop