ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Transportation is warning motorists traveling through Atlanta over the weekend to expect heavy delays on the Downtown Connector northbound between 10th Street and where the Downtown Connector splits into the two interstates as crews continue resurfacing work related to the 14th Street Bridge improvement project.
Starting at 9 p.m. Friday through the weekend to 5 a.m. Monday the three regular travel lanes to I-75 north will be closed. All I-75 northbound traffic must use the HOV lane to access I-75. The two right lanes of I-85 north will also be closed. The Department recommends that northbound motorists traveling through Atlanta use I-285.
In addition to the interstate closures, Williams Street will be closed to all thru traffic beginning at 10th Street through its access to I-75 north. Drivers to I-75 north will be detoured to Spring Street for the I-75/I-85 entrance ramp at Linden Avenue.
Over the weekend crews will remove and replace nearly 40,000 tons of material.
These closures are part of an ongoing $88.5 million reconstruction project at the 14th Street interchange. The improvements include a new 14th Street bridge which opened on September, 3 and two new exit ramps from the interstate: southbound to 10th Street, which opened in June, and northbound to 17th Street, expected to open in early 2010. The estimated cost of the project is $88.5 million.
Traffic delays throughout Downtown, especially in Midtown are to be expected. Motorists should allow additional travel time and/or choose alternate routes during this construction projects. For information on commuting alternatives contact the Clean Air campaign at www.cleanaircampaign.com
Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this or any other construction project on interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.
