Night driving into Atlanta from Peachtree City and Tyrone is going to

be a hassle every weekend for more than half a year beginning this summer.

Be prepared for triple lane closures going both ways after 9 p.m. every

Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, state officials warn.

An intensive repair project for Interstate 85 between Ga. Highway 74

and Flat Shoals Road is planned for sometime this summer, according to

the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Although the start date is unknown, the project is expected to last

between 27 and 30 weekends and take place on both the northbound and

southbound lanes of the interstate, said Karlene Barron, spokesperson

for the Georgia DOT.

To prevent traffic problems for weekday commuters, work on the project

will be limited to between 9 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday, Barron said.

During those hours, motorists can expect multiple lane closures, with

up to three lanes closed at one time, she added.

"We'll never have it totally closed down. People will always

be able to go northbound and southbound," Barron said, responding

to a media report that all lanes in one direction would be shut down

with traffic diverted onto the other side of the interstate, with northbound

and southbound vehicles separated by temporary barriers.

The contractor, who has not yet been selected, will also be allowed

to close one lane at a time on weekday evenings, also from 9 p.m. to

5 a.m., Barron noted.

The project will involve reconstruction of pavement sections, drainage

improvements and resurfacing, Barron said.

Although the start date depends on the availability of the contractor

selected by DOT, the hope is for the project to start by early July,

Barron said.