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- UPDATE: Due to the weather forecast, the work scheduled for the Downtown Connector has been cancelled. *
ATLANTA– The Georgia Department of Transportation is warning motorists traveling through Atlanta over the weekend to expect heavy delays on the Downtown Connector 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 5 a.m. Monday the three regular travel lanes to I-85 north will be closed. The I-75 and I-85 HOV northbound lanes will also be closed. Only one I-85 northbound lane will be open. The Department recommends northbound motorists traveling through Atlanta use I-285.
Additionally, crews will be working overnight Friday through noon Saturday on the southbound Connector. Starting at 9 p.m. Friday night, the two right lanes will be closed just past 17th Street through just past 10th Street. At daylight Saturday, the 10th Street on ramp will be closed. All lanes and ramps will be reopen by noon Saturday.
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 Sept. 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.
