Major Interstate Closure To Heavily Affect GA Traffic Regionally

ATLANTA, GA — A major interstate will fully shut down on Atlanta's west side due to a $206 million construction project, impacting traffic starting Friday evening.

The closure of I-285 northbound and southbound will start at 7 p.m. Friday and will end at 5 a.m. Monday, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.

There will be region-wide traffic delays on the interstate that wraps around metro Atlanta, state officials warned.

The department is planning to completely shut down the heavily-traveled I-285 between SR 139/Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (exit 9) and Cascade Road (exit 7) in Fulton County as crews rebuild part of the interstate. This will be based on the weather and on-site conditions.

"No traffic will be permitted through this section of I-285 at any time during the closure," GDOT said in the release.

Additionally, state officials say they will close one left lane on I-285 northbound between Washington Road (exit 1) and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (exit 9).

The interstate needs to shut down to protect drivers, safely accommodate the operation of heavy equipment and to allow for adequate workspace for crews, state officials said.

"Overhead message boards and roadside signage will alert drivers well in advance of the closure," GDOT said in a news release.

The project spans 10 miles from State Route 14/South Fulton Parkway in College Park to Collier Road and is one of two significant ventures to repair and replace concrete slabs on the I-285 westside corridor, according to GDOT. Construction is set to be completed in 2028.

What You Can Do

Heavy traffic congestion is expected on I-20, I-75/85 and Langford Parkway (SR 166).

State officials also anticipated traffic to spill over onto local southwest Atlanta and other Fulton roads.

The following will be clearly marked detours:

• Southbound I-285 traffic:
  • Diverted to I-20 (Exit 10 A) to I-75/85 southbound
• Northbound and westbound I-285 traffic:
  • Diverted to SR 166/Langford Parkway (Exit 5)

"Anyone traveling anywhere in the metro Atlanta area this weekend should plan ahead," state officials said in the release.

They suggested adding extra travel time, considering using alternative routes, adjusting travel times and checking traffic conditions using the 511GA app before leaving.

Drivers should also do the following, per GDOT:

• Avoid the I-285 corridor on the west side of Atlanta.
• Review routes before starting any trip to or through metro Atlanta this weekend.
• Expect changing traffic patterns, and follow all posted signage.
• Wear seatbelts.
• Slow down in work zones.
• Stay alert and avoid distractions.
• Move over at least one lane, when possible, to allow crews room to work.
• Expect the unexpected.

There will be additional full closures of parts of I-285 in the future due to construction, GDOT said.