GDOT Suspends Lane Closures For Christmas, New Year's Travel

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia residents are in the thick of the 2017 holiday season, and the Georgia Department of Transportation wants to make one aspect of this time of year a big easier on motorists. The agency will ease traffic congestion by suspending construction-related lane closures on interstate highways, heavily-traveled state routes and roads near major shopping areas and tourist attractions.

For Christmas, the suspension will go into effect at 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22 and last through 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26. These same restrictions will be imposed for the New Year's weekend from 5 a.m. Dec. 29 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018.

"We anticipate heavy traffic throughout northwest Georgia as people visit family and friends, shop, and attend holiday events," said DeWayne Cromer, district engineer at the DOT office in Cartersville. "We are limiting construction and associated lane closures for easier and safer travel. Driving under the influence is always an obvious concern, especially during the holidays. But it’s the not-so-obvious distractions — like singing, using the phone and talking in the car — that you also need to be wary of. Let’s make this a safe, happy time for all.”

Georgia DOT reminds travelers to exercise caution as crews may still work in proximity to highways; 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 interstate or state route.

For up-to-date information about travel conditions on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, call 511 or visit www.511ga.org before heading out.

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