DOT Suspends Construction-Related Lane Closures for Memorial Day

by Charlie Bauder, WNEG, Toccoa

The Georgia Department of Transportation is taking steps to try to help ease traffic this holiday weekend.

Continuing through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, the Georgia DOT is suspending construction-related lane closures on interstates and major state routes.

Georgia DOT Spokesperson Teri Pope said that it is the first holiday of the summer travel season and the agency wants to make it a little easier for people to travel throughout the state.

However, Pope said that people need to be aware that road work will still be in place on the highways, even if the lanes are open.

“There are still construction projects in place,” said Pope. “You still will see work and detours and things will be in the way and you will see barrels. Please realize that the road is not going to be perfect everywhere you go. If there is a road project, we cannot make it perfect all of a sudden really quick before the holiday, but there will not be any additional lane closures so we want to remind folks (to) please slow down.”

Pope said crews may still be working in proximity to highways and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place.

Also, she said that incident management or emergency, maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any route.
The Georgia DOT also advised travelers to call 511 for updated information about travel conditions on Georgia’s interstates and state routes.

Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide and is also found online at www.511ga.org.