Community Corner
GDOT Suspends Lane Closures For Christmas, New Year's Holidays
The suspension goes into effect 5 a.m. Dec. 23 to 10 p.m. Dec. 27 for Christmas and 5 a.m. Dec. 31 to 5 a.m. Jan. 2 for New Year's Day.
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Atlanta, GA -- The Georgia Department of Transportation will make your traveling plans a bit easier by suspending construction-related lane closures for the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays.
Find out what's happening in Cartersvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Georgia DOT is suspending construction-related lane closures on interstates, major state routes or roads near major shopping areas, the agency said. The suspension will be in effect from 5 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 for Christmas.
The reprieve will go back into effect from 5 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 to 5 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, for the New Year’s holiday.
Find out what's happening in Cartersvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A bonus for motorists traveling in metro Atlanta: those suspended construction-related lane closures will continue over the New Year’s Day weekend, with work resuming Monday, Jan. 5, 2016.
The Georgia DOT implements the restriction to offset increased holiday traffic; it does not apply to emergency lane closures that may be necessary, however.
GDOT reminds travelers that crews may still be working in proximity to highways and state routes; and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place. Also, incident management or emergency, maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any route.
“We are expecting more motorists to travel through metro Atlanta this year than years before,” said Kathy Zahul, GDOT metro Atlanta district engineer. “Unfortunately, roadway fatalities increase during heavy holiday travel. We urge motorists to slow down, put their mobile devices away, and drive alert.”
Georgia DOT also advises motorists that - in the event of a crash or breakdown - to never get out of the car on a freeway, unless your life is in imminent danger. Pull onto the nearest shoulder as far from the travel lanes as possible and call 511 for HERO assistance in metro Atlanta or 911 for medical emergency service.
Before you hit the road, GDOT advides you to www.511ga.org to receive updated information regarding travel conditions on interstates and state routes in Georgia.
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