Thanksgiving 2016: GDOT Suspends Lane Closures, Troopers Beef Up Patrols

ATLANTA, GA -- In an effort to ease Thanksgiving traffic congestion across metro Atlanta and the state, the Georgia Department of Transportation will suspend construction-related lane closures for the rest of the week.

This reprieve will take place along interstate highways, heavily traveled state routes and roads near major shopping centers, malls and districts from 5 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, the agency said.

You can also expect similar restrictions to take place during the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

“We expect heavy traffic as people hit the road to visit loved ones or when they take the family to Black Friday sales,” said Georgia DOT State Construction Engineer John D. Hancock. “We want to make this a happy Thanksgiving, so we are limiting construction and associated lane closures for easier and safer travel.”

• When is the worst time to leave Atlanta for the Thanksgiving 2016 holiday? Find out here.

On the enforcement side of the coin, the Georgia State Patrol is also preparing to beef up patrols during the week.

The holiday travel period, a total of 102 hours, kicks off at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23 and ends midnight Sunday, Nov. 27.

“Troopers will be focusing on occupant protection violations, and keeping a close eye out for impaired drivers and other traffic violations that could potentially cause a crash,” said Colonel Mark W. McDonough, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. “We want to make holiday travel as safe as possible."

Last year, during a similar 102-hour period, troopers investigated 788 traffic crashes across the state that resulted in 377 injuries and nine fatalities. In addition to the traffic crash investigations, troopers arrested 319 people for driving under the influence while issuing 9,620 citations and 15,729 warnings.

Heavy traffic is also expected at various metro Atlanta venues. Thursday morning will bring the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon at Turner Field while Phillips Arena will host a concert Friday evening.

Last, but certainly not least, the Atlanta Falcons will take the field Sunday afternoon at the Georgia Dome.

GDOT 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.

Along with protecting the interstates from impaired drivers, state troopers will make apperarances along secondary roads.

Residents are advised to make sure everyone in their vehicles is wearing a seatbelt and that children are properly restrained in a child safety seat.

Of course, if you know that you will be consuming alcohol, designate a sober driver.

“Sadly, each holiday period more than one-half of the people killed in motor vehicle crashes are impaired or not using safety belts,” Colonel McDonough said.

Image via Georgia Department of Public Safety