GDOT suspends all interstate lane closures for Memorial Day weekend travel – WSB-TV Channel 2

Although construction-related lane closures will be suspended, GDOT said drivers should remain cautious as some work crews may still be at work near highways.

To help drivers prepare for the best and worst travel times during Memorial Day weekend, GDOT has provided the following traffic forecasts and recommendations, based on travel data from previous years.

TRENDING STORIES:

Metro Atlanta

• Traffic volume data is based on an evaluation of historical Memorial Day weekend traffic patterns.
• Popular tourist attractions and areas for vacation travel in metro Atlanta that could see an increase in traffic include:
• Centennial Olympic Park
• Georgia Aquarium
• Six flags over Georgia
• Zoo Atlanta
• Atlanta Botanical Gardens
• Piedmont Park / Atlanta Jazz Festival

Metro Atlanta Highways

2023 Memorial Day weekend travel data for major highways in metro Atlanta showed the following trends:

• Historical travel patterns predict typical traffic flow on metro Atlanta highways through the holiday weekend period of Wednesday, May 22 through Thursday, May 23, with moderate congestion 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Motorists must be informed of the risks heavy traffic Friday May 24, notably from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Motorists can expect moderate congestion on metro Atlanta highways on Saturday, May 25, during the afternoon.
• Light to normal traffic is expected on Sunday, May 26 and Monday, May 27, Memorial Day.
• Motorists should expect a return of moderate traffic congestion on Tuesday, May 28, particularly between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Below are schedule changes for the South Metro Express Lanes for the Memorial Day travel period, Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 27. No changes are planned for the express lanes of the northwest corridor. Schedules are subject to change due to current traffic needs.

Metro Atlanta surface streets

• Heavier traffic than usual is expected from noon to evening on Thursday, May 23 and Friday, May 24 for these surface streets:
• SR 3N/Cobb Pkwy
• SR 141 N/Peachtree Road
• SR 140 NE/Jimmy Carter Boulevard
• SR 3 West Central/Northside Dr
• SR 8 East Central/Ponce De Leon Avenue
• SR 42 E / Moreland Avenue
• SR 154 SE/Memorial Drive
• SR 35 S/US highway 19
• Saturday May 25 and Sunday May 26 should have normal has lighter than normal traffic runs both days for the surface streets listed above.
• Motorists can expect lighter than normal traffic on most surface streets on Memorial Day.

On major highways outside of metro Atlanta, data showed the following traffic trends during the Memorial Day travel period:

• I-20 should have heavy eastbound congestion enter the Atlanta metro area; light westbound travel going out of town to Alabama; And moderate eastbound congestion enter South Carolina.
• I-75 it is expected that he will have heavy congestion in south and north direction coming out of Atlanta to Stockbridge.
• I-24 heavy eastbound congestion in northwest Georgia (near Chattanooga).
• I-16 heavy congestion westbound leave Savannah and I-16 heavy eastbound congestion entering Savanna.
• I-95 in north and south direction we expect to see light travel in Savannah.

Recommendations for safe driving

If you’re traveling this weekend, do so safely by keeping these best practices in mind:

• Georgia DOT FIELD Support:
• The Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Program (CHAMP) is a free service, offered by the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT), covering highways outside of metro Atlanta (except I-59 and I-24).
• CHAMP assists stranded motorists, changes tires, maintains traffic flow and identifies several maintenance issues.
• Motorists can call 511 to request CHAMP.
• Move over for first responders:
• Traffic-related incidents are one of the leading causes of death for law enforcement officers. Let’s all do our part to ensure road safety. Drive alert, eliminate distractions and stay focused on the road.
• Georgia’s Move-Over law requires drivers to move in one lane, if possible if an emergency vehicle equipped with flashing lights is parked on the shoulder of the highway.
• Vehicles included in the law include all first responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS), utility vehicles, DOT vehicles, HERO and CHAMP units, and tow trucks handling an accident.
• If traffic is too heavy to navigate safely, the law requires drivers to slow below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop.
• Stay in your car:
• Motorists should avoid getting out of their vehicles if they are stopped on the highway.
• Emergency assistance will provide instructions on what drivers and passengers should do.
• Drive defensively:
• An increase in the number of out-of-town drivers is expected. Be careful with unknown drivers on the roads.
• Be vigilant and aware. Slow down and approach with caution if you see a car with its hazards activated.
• Maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you in case it stops suddenly.
• Be alert for pedestrians near crosswalks, surface streets, and densely populated areas.
• Don’t drive distracted. Stay focused on the road in the event of a sudden incident.

For up-to-date information on travel conditions on Georgia’s highways and state roads, call 511 or visit www.511ga.org before you travel.

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