The Georgia Department of Transportation can’t help you land the perfect parking spot at your favorite shopping locale, but we can make it easier for you to get there by restricting lane closures on roads near major shopping centers, malls or districts during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Georgia DOT is suspending construction-related lane closures from 5 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, through 10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, on interstates, major state routes or roads near major shopping areas. Similar restrictions will be in place for Christmas and New Year’s.
Like watching televised Thanksgiving Day parades and football, minimizing lane closures for projects under construction is a Georgia DOT holiday tradition. The restriction is implemented to offset increased holiday traffic. This does not include emergency lane closures that may be necessary.
The Department reminds travelers that crews may still be working in proximity to highways and state routes; and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place. Also, incident management or emergency, maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any route.
“We typically see an increase in roadway fatalities during heavy travel holidays,” said Marc Mastronardi, State Construction Engineer. “We cannot overemphasize the need to slow down, drive alert and take every pre-caution to protect yourself and your passengers.”
For updated information about travel conditions on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, GDOT advises travelers to call 511 or consult 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.
Georgia DOT also advises motorists that – in the event of a crash or breakdown – to never get out of the car on a freeway, unless your life is in imminent danger. Pull onto the nearest shoulder as far from the travel lanes as possible and call 511 for HERO assistance in Metro Atlanta, or 911 for medical emergency service anywhere in Georgia.
Also note that Georgia’s Move-over Law requires drivers to move-over one lane when a law enforcement, emergency vehicle or construction crew is 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.
