DOT Suspends Lane Closures for July 4th Holiday

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

This weekend is typically one of the busiest on Georgia roadways of the year.

And as they always do over a holiday weekend, the Georgia Department of Transportation will be suspending all construction-related closures, according to G-DOT Spokesperson Teri Pope.

“The July 4th Weekend is on the biggest holiday travel weekends for vehicular traffic of the summer, so GDOT has limited lane closures for construction projects for the holiday weekend. There will be no lane closures beginning 5 o’clock Thursday, 11 o’clock to 5:00am Monday morning July 6th. There could still be emergency road closures for road works. There will still be shifts in place. There could still be problems but there won’t be a typical lane closure on your route.”

Pope reminds motorists this weekend, whenever you approach a work zone: slow down; allow extra distance between vehicles; read signs; obey road crew flaggers; and expect the unexpected.

“Yes, construction projects can just finish and get completely out of the way. There still going to be out there. You are going to see big equipment, lane shifts, probably even detours around the state, but there won’t be lane closures during the day with that work”

Pope said in the event of a crash or breakdown, pull off the road if possible and turn on your emergency flashers.

Otherwise remain seat belted in the vehicle – never get out of the car on a freeway, unless your life is in imminent danger.

Pope advises motorists have a planned route set ahead of time before getting out on the road, and she said using G-DOT’s 511 feature is designed for just that.

“What you will think about your route, where you are you going before you get into the car, so if you are going somewhere new then you can check your traffic app, 511ga.org, and find out if there are traffic crashes or detours, or shifts in that area. Just really trying to get into the habit of thinking before you get caught on the road somewhere where there is a problem.”

Callers can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.