GDOT: Thankfully Keeping Roads Open For Turkey Day Travel, Retail Therapy

So that Georgians and those motorists passing through our state can easily arrive at their Thanksgiving holiday destinations, the Department of Transportation is suspending construction-related lane closures on interstates and major state routes beginning at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and extending until 9 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 1, according to a press release.   

Department officials remind travelers to exercise caution nonetheless as heavy holiday traffic is expected throughout the state. Crews may still be working and heavy equipment may remain staged in close proximity to highways and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures remain in place. Also, incident management or emergency, maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any route.

“Historically, there are about 3,000 accidents on Georgia roads during the Thanksgiving holiday period,” Georgia DOT District Engineer Bayne Smith said in the release. “On average, more than a dozen people die and 1,000 more are injured.  

"This is supposed to be a holiday for grateful contemplation and festive family gatherings, not tragedy. Please be very careful and do not drive distracted or while impaired.”

Motorists can access real-time, statewide, route-specific information on accidents, road work, traffic and weather conditions through Georgia 511—a free phone service. By dialing 511, callers also can transfer to operators to 24 hours a day to report incidents or request assistance. The system can be used to access transit providers, major airports, rideshare organizations, tourism information and 511 systems in surrounding states. Additionally, 511 is available online.  

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