GDOT Suspends Lane Closures Over Holiday Weekend

As they do every holiday weekend, and to ease traffic congestion statewide during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending interstate highway construction-related lane closures on Interstates and state routes beginning Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27.

Statewide lane closure restrictions will help to reduce traffic congestion during the Thanksgiving holiday. Similar restrictions will be in place for Christmas and New Year’s.

Lane closures will also be limited on major state routes that directly serve key tourist and recreation centers.

Georgia DOT reminds drivers that crews may still be working in proximity to highways to address safety and maintenance concerns that may require some long-term lane closures.

In addition, incident or emergency-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any route.

Georgia DOT State Construction Engineer John D. Hancock advises motorists planning to travel this week to buckle up, and as you gather this weekend with family and friends, make safety a top priority.

And if you’re going to go into or through metro Atlanta, GDOT says the heaviest travel times this week will be Wednesday, Nov. 23 between the hours of 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Outside of metro Atlanta G-DOT says motorists can expect heavy traffic and congestion on I-85 near both the South Carolina and Alabama state lines all weekend.

In the event of a crash or breakdown, Georgia DOT advises motorists to never get out of their car on a freeway, unless their life is in imminent danger.

If possible, pull off the road, turn on your hazard lights and stay seat-belted in the vehicle with the doors locked.

For HERO assistance in metro Atlanta or CHAMP service on highways in other regions of the state call 511 – a free phone service that provides highway assistance and real-time information about Georgia’s interstates and state routes, including traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather.