'Traffic Shift' Coming at Interstate 20 and I-285

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Commuters are going to notice a change Monday on Interstate 20 just before the I-285 interchange.

A new traffic configuration, beginning near State Route 70/Fulton Industrial Boulevard, is designed to make motorists merge earlier, smoothing out traffic congestion caused by last-minute lane changers at the interchange.

Overhead signs, solid white lines and pole delineators will separate traffic exiting to I-285 from traffic continuing on I-20 eastbound, the Georgia Department of Transportation said.

The new setup will make drivers choose their direction earlier and prevent late weaving maneuvers, the department said. That will decrease congestion and increase safety, the DOT says.

Some last-minute roadwork will be going on this weekend to get ready for the change.

"Georgia DOT contractors will restripe I-20 from Fulton Industrial Boulevard to the I-285 interchange starting Friday night until Saturday afternoon," said Kathy Zahul, metro district engineer with the DOT. "The new striping will reflect the final configuration for the operational improvement."

The change is part of an Interstate 20 resurfacing project that begins at Sweetwater Creek -- just after the Thornton Road exit -- and ends at Hill Street (Exit 56B).