Community Corner

GDOT: More Travelers Than Usual This Holiday

The Georgia Department of Transportation has suspened all construction-related lane closures beginning tonight at 5.

With Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday, the Georgia Department of Transportation anticipates more travelers than usual during the holiday week. Motorists should expect congestion near malls and retail centers throughout the week, according to a press release. 

“We anticipate heavy traffic throughout beginning Friday, Dec. 20, around noon” District Engineer Bayne Smith said in the release. “Mall and retail center traffic will be particularly congested. Planning your trip before you get on the road could help make your trip nice instead of naughty. Additionally, many travelers will be on our roadways over the weekend prior to Christmas and the following week.” 

In northeast Georgia, high congestion areas include, but are not limited to the following areas:

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  • Interstate 85 and I-985 in Gwinnett County especially at SR 20 (Mall of Georgia) and Sugarloaf Parkway (Discover Mills);
  • I-85 in Jackson and Banks Counties at SR 15/US 441 at the Banks Crossing Outlets;
  • SR 400 in Dawson County; and
  • I-985 at SR 347 for Lake Lanier Islands Magical Nights of Lights. 

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As a reminder, GDOT will suspend construction-related lane closures on all interstates and major state routes from 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, through 5 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2. Incident management or emergency maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary on any route.

Check the maps on www.georgia-navigator.com for current road conditions, or call 511 on any phone for free, real-time traffic information. Traveler information is also available at www.511ga.org and a toll-free number for callers from outside the state, 1-877-MYGA511 (1-877-694-2511).

Georgia 511 provides statewide traffic conditions, route-specific information and estimated travel times within metro Atlanta. Additionally, 511 callers can access transit providers, major airports, rideshare organizations, Georgia tourism information and 511 systems in neighboring states.

For those preparing to fly, 511 connects callers to airports in Atlanta and Savannah for information on parking, delays or connections to carriers. An automated voice recognition system guides the service, but callers can also reach live operators to report accidents or congestion, request HERO assistance or obtain additional information.

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