GDOT Suspends Lane Closures Over Holiday Weekend

To help ease Thanksgiving traffic congestion statewide, the Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending construction-related lane closures on interstate highways.

Travel is expected to be at an all-time high this year as people visit friends and family for the Thanksgiving holiday and shop on Black Friday.

The lane closure suspension began this morning and will run through Monday morning at 5a.

However, G-DOT spokesperson Katie Strickland says there may still be some crews working on the Interstates over the holiday weekend.

“If you are headed out of town and you’re traveling up I-985 in northeast Georgia or on I-85 you still need to exercise caution because crews may still be working in proximity to the highway. They may not be on the highway. Some of the long term lane closures will remain in place for safety. It’s just important that you drive alert so that you can arrive alive.” Strickland said.

Strickland said motorists should also be aware of any incident management or emergency, or any maintenance-related lane closures over the weekend on any interstate or state route, and use caution.

Georgia’s Move-over Law requires drivers to move-over one lane when a law enforcement, emergency vehicles, or construction crews are on the side of the road and displaying flashing emergency lights.

If it is unsafe to move over, then slow down below the posted speed.

For up-to-date information about travel conditions on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, call 511 or visit www.511ga.org before heading out.

Georgia 511 is a free service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide.

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