To ease Thanksgiving traffic congestion statewide, the Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending construction-related lane closures on interstate highways, heavily traveled state routes and roadways near major shopping centers, malls, and shopping districts from 5 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, to 10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27.
Similar restrictions will be in place for Christmas and New Year’s.
“We expect heavy traffic as people hit the road to visit loved ones or when they take the family to Black Friday sales,” said Georgia DOT State Construction Engineer John D. Hancock. “We want to make this a happy Thanksgiving, so we are limiting construction and associated lane closures for easier and safer travel.”
Heavy traffic is also expected at various metro Atlanta venues. Thursday morning at Turner Field, there’s the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon; Friday evening there’s a concert at Philips Arena; and Sunday afternoon, there’s Falcons football at the Georgia Dome.
The DOT reminds travelers to exercise caution as crews may still work in proximity to highways; 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 interstate or state route.
“We typically see an increase in roadway fatalities during heavy travel holidays, and with traffic fatalities up again this year, drivers should slow down, drive alert and take every precaution to protect themselves and their passengers,” Hancock said. “Drivers, put down the cell phone and make sure you and your passengers buckle up. And please watch for people on foot. Pedestrian fatalities are on the rise as well.”
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 can also transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Motorists are advised – 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.
