Memorial Day Weekend 2017: GDOT Restricts Lane Closures

ATLANTA, GA -- To ease traffic congestion that's expected to accompany the Memorial Day weekend travel period, the Georgia Department of Transportation said it will suspend construction-related lane closures starting Friday.

The temporary reprieve will begin at noon May 26 and will run through 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 30 on interstates. Georgia DOT will also curtail lane closures on state routes that directly serve major tourist and recreation centers.

“This first holiday of the summer travel season is one of the heaviest travel times," said Georgia DOT State Construction Engineer John Hancock. "We hope the suspension of major construction work will allow motorists to get to and from their holiday festivities with less congestion and less aggravation."

Hancock notes the agency wants motorists to be alert while behind the wheel, as crews may still work in close proximity to highways and safety concerns "may require long-term lane closures to remain in place."

Georgia DOT reminds drivers to always buckle up, stay off the phone and focus on driving. In the event of a crash or breakdown, GDOT advises motorists to never get out of the car on a freeway, unless your life is in imminent danger. If possible, pull off the road, turn on your hazard lights and stay in the vehicle with the doors locked.

For HERO assistance in Metro Atlanta or CHAMP service on highways in other regions, be sure to call 5-1-1, a free phone service that provides real-time statewide information on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather.

Callers can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.

Last, but certainly not least, motorists are required to obey Georgia's Move Over Law, which orders drivers to move over one lane or slow down and be prepared to stop when approaching a stationary law enforcement, emergency, construction crew or utility service vehicle utilizing traffic cones or displaying flashing lights. This law also covers Georgia DOT's HERO and CHAMP vehicles.

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