If I-285 is part of your weekend plans, you may want to start thinking about an alternate route.
The Georgia Department of Transportation is planning another full weekend closure along a portion of I-285 on Atlanta’s westside as crews continue work on the I-285 Westside Rebuild project.
When is I-285 closing?
Both northbound and southbound lanes of I-285 will be completely closed between SR 166/Langford Parkway (Exit 5) and Cascade Road (Exit 7) beginning:
Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m. through Monday, August 31 at 5 a.m.
No traffic will be allowed through the closed section during that time.
What should drivers do?
GDOT is encouraging drivers to plan ahead and use alternate routes, including:
- SR 166/Langford Parkway
- I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector
- I-20
Even if you don’t normally travel directly through the closed portion of I-285, drivers should prepare for additional congestion on surrounding highways and local roads as traffic is redirected.
Why does I-285 keep closing?
The closures are part of the $206 million I-285 Westside Rebuild project, which is replacing aging concrete pavement along approximately 10 miles of the Perimeter from South Fulton Parkway in College Park to Collier Road.
The overall project stretches through Fulton and Cobb counties and is currently expected to be completed in 2028.
GDOT has been using full weekend closures to allow crews to work around the clock and complete large sections of the project without repeatedly disrupting weekday rush-hour traffic.
FYI, There are more closures coming
Atlanta drivers aren’t done with the weekend shutdowns just yet.
Additional full-lane closures are currently scheduled for September 11-14 and September 25-27, according to GDOT.
As always, construction schedules can change because of weather or other conditions.
Drivers traveling through the area should give themselves extra time, watch for posted detours and check current traffic conditions before hitting the road.
