Interstate 285 in Atlanta will be closed in both directions this weekend after two days of gridlock during last weekend’s closure.
The shutdown will start at 7 p.m. today, Friday, October 23rd on Interstate 285 in both directions between Cascade Road at exit 7 through Highway 166 at exit 5 on the Westside of Atlanta, Georgia. All lanes are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. on Monday, October 26th.
According to 11Alive, I-285 was shut down in Smyrna last weekend, causing gridlock for drivers in and around the construction zone. Some motorists reported 30 minute drive time just to travel a half mile.
The Georgia Department of Transportation says that tractor trailers were to blame for a lot of the traffic back ups last weekend, pointing fingers at truckers who ignored posted detours. However, local trucking leaders say that many drivers were just confused, and believe that there is not enough posted signage to properly direct truck drivers to the Interstate 75 southbound detour taking them downtown and onto the Connector at I-75/85.
GDOT has indicated that it is currently working with the Georgia Trucking Association to spread the word about the detours to carriers in and outside of the state, as well as get more signage posted and facilitate better coordination with law enforcement.
This weekend, GDOT says that any and all drivers should avoid the area of the I-285 closure as much as possible. Suggested detours include using Interstate 20 or Highway 166 to get into Downtown Atlanta, and then the Interstate 75/85 Connector to head north or south through the city.
