2 Westbound Lanes Of I-20 Re-Opened In Road Buckle; Traffic From I-285 Diverted

Read more: All lanes on I-20 westbound are re-opened Tuesday morning.

Updated: 4:56 p.m. -- Georgia Department of Transportation officials said that they have re-opened the two right lanes of Interstate 20 Westbound, between Candler and Gresham roads. The development comes nearly five hours after the road buckled Monday.

Original story: EAST ATLANTA, GA -- All lanes westbound on Interstate 20 in DeKalb County are blocked after the road buckled Monday about mid-morning, officials said. In the makings of a burgeoning traffic crisis, state traffic crews have diverted vehicles exiting Interstate 285 south and north from coming onto I-20.

A huge section of pavement on the inside lane of I-20 westbound has buckled upward due to an apparent gas leak underground, officials said. Firefighters and police are sending drivers already on section of the highway onto nearby Flat Shoals Road and telling others to avoid the area.

Traffic crews continue to work on the scene, between Candler and Gresham roads, to divert traffic, which is expected to get worse as the day progresses and rush hour hits. Motorists are being encouraged to use alternate routes into the city. (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

The Georgia Department of Transportation said in a statement that it did not know when the lanes would be re-opened.

"Georgia DOT crews are responding to an issue that has closed I-20 Westbound between Candler and Gresham Roads. A section of the roadway has buckled, likely due to an issue with an underground utility instillation.

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"Inspectors are assessing the situation and crews are prepared to work quickly to repair the interstate. Until further information is available we cannot provide an estimated time for repairs to be made. More information will be shared as soon possible. In the meantime, I-20 westbound traffic is being diverted off the Interstate at I-285 (north or south). No traffic from either I-285 northbound or southbound is being permitted to exit onto I-20 West," the agency said.

Here are the alternate routes suggested by DeKalb County transit officials:

I-285 has been approved as the primary detour with the following alternate routes:

• I-285 South/West to I-75 North
• I-285 North to Glenwood Road Westbound, to I-20 Westbound
• Covington Highway Westbound, to Memorial Drive Westbound, to South Howard Street Southbound, to Glenwood Road Westbound, to I-20 Westbound

Images and videos uploaded to social media showed a huge breach about two feet high and about 12 feet across. According to local media broadcasts, there were sightings of a motorcycle on the ground near the spot. One motorcyclist was badly injured and transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, according to local media. At least one other vehicle ran over the road buckle, reportedly going airborne but avoiding injury.

The development is the latest road woe to plague metro Atlanta, which is still coping from the Interstate 85 collapse a few weeks ago.

On March 30, a rectangular section of of I-85 fell through just north of downtown Atlanta during a massive fire. The incident snarled traffic for hours and has decapacitated part of a major Southern thoroughfare. State and city officials have promised that the repairs will be done by June 15.

Last week, a truck filled with Tomahawk Chops lost its cargo on I-75, clogging lanes for two hours.

Read more: Tomahawk Chops snarl traffic on I-75

This is a developing story. Stay with Patch for the latest.

Image via DeKalb County Police / Twitter