Georgia DOT's Suspending Lane Closures Thanksgiving Weekend

ATLANTA, GA — Here’s some good news for travelers in the metro Atlanta area hitting the road this Thanksgiving. The Georgia Department of Transportation announced Monday in a news release that to help alleviate traffic congestion statewide, Georgia DOT will suspend construction-related lane closures on heavily traveled interstate highways and state routes from 6 a.m. Wednesday to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec 2.

The heaviest traffic is expected to be in Buckhead and the northern Perimeter Wednesday through Friday. The statewide lane restrictions allow commuters work-zone free travel and reduced traffic congestion during the Thanksgiving Holiday. Similar restrictions will be in place for Christmas and New Year’s.

Thanksgiving Week Travel forecasts for Atlanta has been created based on an analysis Thanksgiving Week in 2017 and 2018 compared with 2019 traffic patterns.

“In order to provide a safer and less congested roadway, we are limiting construction-related lane closures,” said Georgia DOT State Construction Engineer John D. Hancock. “We anticipate heavy traffic statewide while people are visiting their friends and family, as well as shopping during Black Friday.”

People visiting downtown Atlanta should anticipate a higher volume of traffic because of the holiday events taking place over the weekend. Thursday is the annual Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon & 5K at Georgia State Stadium (formerly Turner Field) and Saturday Georgia Tech will play the University of Georgia at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

“We typically see an increase in roadway fatalities during the holidays,” Hancock said. “I urge drivers to put down your cell phones, be alert and make sure you and your passengers buckle-up. Let’s make this a happy Thanksgiving for all.”

While the road closures will be suspended, the department reminds travelers to exercise caution as crews may still work near highways, and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place. In addition, incident management or emergency, maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any route.

Google Maps has also identified the best and worst times to leave on Thanksgiving in Atlanta.

• Best Time To Leave Before Thanksgiving: 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving
• Worst Time To Leave Before Thanksgiving: 3 p.m. Wednesday
• Best Time To Leave After Thanksgiving: 3 a.m. on Friday or 6 a.m. on Sunday
• Worst Time To Leave After Thanksgiving: 3 p.m. on Sunday

Traffic on Black Friday in Atlanta will spike at 3 p.m.