Buckhead Coalition Thanks G-DOT For I-85 Repair

ATLANTA, GA -- It has been said that no area of metro Atlanta suffered more from the Interstate 85 bridge collapse than Buckhead. With its tony neighborhoods and high-end restaurants, the enclave temporarily became a no man's land for many residents and visitors outside the Zip code, but that was way back in April.

Since the second weekend in May, I-85 has been up and running like it was before the incident. On behalf of the its community, the Buckhead Coalition thanked the Georgia Department of Transportation’s commissioner and staff for their help in getting the I-85 fixes done in quick fashion.

On March 30 during rush hour, a section of I-85 right between Buckhead and Midtown became engulfed in flames due to a fire beneath the bridge. In short order, a rectangular section of the bridge collapsed, halting traffic from that day forward to about six weeks.

The weekend of March 15 marked the reopening of the northbound lanes of the I-85 bridge over Piedmont Road. One day later, the southbound lanes reopened, an accomplishment that finished a staggering five whole weeks ahead of the original June 15 projection.

Buckhead Coalition Sam Massell said that expediting the I-85 repair work really helped local businesses along with people who live and work in the area.

Commissioner Russell McMurry extolled the virtues of having local and regional partnerships among civic groups, businesses and governmental entities.

I-85, a major thoroughfare of the Southeastern United States, carries nearly 243,000 vehicles a day, officials said.
Three people were arrested in connection to the fire and bridge collapse, but one suspect has become the face of the incident. Basil Eleby was charged with arson and criminal damage to property. Sophia Brauer and Barry Thomas were each charged with criminal trespassing.

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Images via G-DOT