The I-285 shutdown rescheduled for this weekend. Traffic chaos to come

Following bad weather at the end of last week, a major road closure and reconstruction project city ​​of atlanta entered traffic chaos on the weekend.

The partial closure and resurfacing project of I-285 was scheduled to begin May 8, but the Georgia Department of Transportation postponed the closure due to weather conditions late Friday night.

Now, the closing has been rescheduled for this weekend. A large portion of I-285 west side of atlanta All northbound and southbound lanes will be closed for four days starting Friday evening.

The closing will start at 19.00 on Friday and continue until 05.00 on Monday, May 18.

Where do the I-285 road closures begin?

All lanes of I-285, both northbound and southbound, will be closed on the west side of town from Exit 7 at Cascade Road to MLK Jr. Exit on the Drive will be closed between 9 p.m.

“This closure supports the ongoing I-285 Westside reconstruction project, which extends 10 miles from SR 14/South Fulton Parkway in College Park to Collier Road,” according to GDOT. “The contractor’s work crews will scrape and grind the existing concrete pavement, preparing for the reclaiming and replacement of the pavement. A full closure is required to safely perform heavy equipment operations, provide adequate work space for crews, and protect drivers.”

What is the recommended alternative route?

If you’re traveling north on I-285, transportation officials recommend exiting the highway at exit 5 at Langford Parkway. You must travel eastbound on Langford Parkway until you reach I-75\I-85, where you will reach I-75 northbound. You will then follow I-75 until you reach the I-20 interchange, where you will follow I-20 westbound until you reach I-285 and re-enter the freeway at Exit 9 to continue north.

If you’re heading south on I-285, you’ll make the same journey in reverse. Drivers will take Exit 9 and follow I-20 east to I-75, where they will head south to Langford Parkway, where they will head west to meet I-285 at Exit 5.

Construction of the World Cup?

Despite the timing, GDOT officials say the construction project on I-285 has nothing to do with Atlanta’s role as one of the U.S. host cities for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Matches will begin in Atlanta in mid-June.

“One thing we see very often is: ‘Why are you doing this?’ or ‘why are you just trying to fit this project into the World Cup?'” a GDOT official said in a video. “Boy, I wish we were done before the World Cup. But that’s not even the case.”

The closure is part of a three-year project, and the official said there will be “many more complete closures” over the next three years as the city restores large sections of I-285, a major route for many people trying to get to and from Atlanta.

Tips from the Georgian Ministry of Transport

While transportation officials outline an intended route, anyone normally on I-285 will be required to use the alternate route, meaning there will be significant traffic problems in and around Atlanta all weekend long.

Officials said traffic will affect not only the route but the entire region.

Here are some tips from GDOT:

• If you plan to drive anywhere in west and southwest Atlanta, allow significant extra time to reach your destination

• There will be heavy traffic congestion on Atlanta’s major highways, so try to avoid them whenever possible and opt for smaller side roads instead.

• Check traffic conditions along your route using the 511GA app or other navigation or navigation apps to see where traffic is heaviest

• No need to drive in that part of town? Great, stay away. Essential local and interstate travel will be affected by lane closures.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter for USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her at X @IreneEWright or email adith@usatodayco.com.

This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Plan for traffic in Atlanta this weekend as I-285 closure is rescheduled