Ga. DOT Ready for New Year’s

The Georgia Department of Transportation is trying to help make sure drivers this New Year’s holiday get started on a safe foot.

Georgia DOT officials said the agency is suspending construction-related lane closures on interstates and major state routes starting at 5 a.m. Wednesday and continuing through 5 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2015 for the New Year’s holiday.

DOT Spokesperson Teri Pope said it is part of the DOT’s efforts to keep roads clear for those headed out later this week.

“Usually a lot of folks are traveling over New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and that weekend, so what we wanted to do is make sure there were no construction-related lane closures,” said Pope.

Because there may be lane closures for accidents or other emergencies, Pope says drivers still need to slow down and use caution.

She also reminded motorists that while work is suspended, the work zone itself will remain.

“There are still construction work zones out there, even though they are not active and no work is taking place,” said Pope. “Remember in work zones, fines are doubled even if no work is taking place.”

She urged motorists to slow down in the work zones and use caution.

Of course, for real-time traffic information go to www.511ga.org or call 511.

511 is a free phone call in Georgia.