New I-285 Closure Set In GA Amid Ongoing Rebuild: GDOT

Georgia transportation officials will once again fully shut down part of I-285 during the interstate's Westside Rebuild in metro Atlanta, causing significant traffic delays, they announced Monday.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is planning to temporarily shut down north- and southbound lanes on I-285, between South Atlanta Road and State Route 280/South Cobb Drive in Atlanta and Smyrna, from 7 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday.

Traffic will detour to I-75, the I-75/85 downtown connector and I-20, GDOT said.

This will be the second time the state agency briefly closes I-285 in Cobb County. The first shutdown forced heavy congestion and major traffic delays on local roads in October.

I-285 is one of Georgia's busiest interstates, seeing almost 200,000 vehicles daily.

The purpose of the $155 million project is to rehabilitate I-285 in Atlanta's westside area. The project is set to be completed in 2029.

During construction, concrete will be milled and ground during slab replacement, state officials said. Work also includes improvements to the roadway shoulder lanes, the concrete median, signage, guardrail and ATMS/ITS systems.

The ongoing project stretches from Collier Drive in Fulton County to Paces Ferry Road in Cobb County, state officials said.

"Lane closures are necessary to provide sufficient space for crews to work safely and to protect motorists while large equipment is in operation. Motorists are urged to pay attention to shifting and changing travel infrastructure along the corridor. Roadside message boards and signage will alert drivers in advance of lane shifts and closures," GDOT said.

Drivers are asked to add extra time to their travels due to "extreme delays" and seek alternative routes.