Atlanta traffic: I-285 construction postponed due to weather

ATLANTA - State officials have hit the brakes on a massive construction project that would have snarled Atlanta traffic this weekend.

The threat of heavy rain and storms moving into metro Atlanta has forced the delay of a massive construction project that was set to shut down a portion of Interstate 285 this weekend. 

Atlanta highway construction delay

What we know:

The Georgia Department of Transportation called off the planned shutdown of all lanes on the west side perimeter between Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Cascade Road. The work was originally set to begin Friday at 7 p.m. and last until Monday at 5 a.m.

The project involves a three-year, $370 million investment to repair a 17-mile stretch of the interstate. Crews need dry conditions to replace concrete slabs, add new shoulders, and install median barriers. The current infrastructure is about 60-years-old.

Weekend weather forecast

Dig deeper:

A weather system is currently moving between southern Mississippi and Alabama along the I-10 corridor. This moisture is creeping north and east toward North Georgia, bringing a 40% chance of showers and thundershowers before the sun comes up Saturday morning. While some rumbles of thunder are possible, meteorologists do not expect severe activity. 

Sunday morning is expected to start dry for those with church plans, though some patches of fog may develop to the west. Temperatures will rise quickly, hitting the high 70s and even the 80s by 3 p.m. in areas like Rome and Milledgeville. 

However, plenty of moisture in the air and an incoming cold front could cause isolated showers or thundershowers Sunday evening. This system sets the stage for what will likely be a messy commute on Monday morning.

Drivers react

What they're saying:

Drivers expressed relief about the delay, with one resident, Ella Williams, noting that while the road is full of holes and needs fixing, she is glad the mess was avoided for now. Another traveler, Kem Odimgbe, said the cancellation means they can now take their mother out for Mexican food instead of staying inside. Monica Orr, another driver, asked for advanced notice for future closures so she could plan a vacation to avoid the traffic.

Future schedule changes

What we don't know:

Officials have not yet announced the new dates for the rescheduled work. It is also unclear if the delay will impact the overall three-year completion timeline for the $370 million project. 

Metro Atlanta project history

The backstory:

The Georgia Department of Transportation planned to shut down all lanes of I-285 from Cascade Road to MLK Jr. Drive starting Friday night through Monday morning. The closure is part of a 17-mile project to dig up and replace 60-year-old concrete, install new guardrails, and upgrade drainage systems. Drivers were previously warned to stay off the Downtown Connector and I-20 while the work was underway. GDOT spokesperson Natalie Dale said the ultimate goal is a completely rebuilt section of the Perimeter.

This project is part of a larger effort to modernize the aging I-285 infrastructure. Over time, crews will rebuild 17 miles of the highway, adding new overhead signs and barrier walls. GDOT warns that these intensive weekend-long closures will become a common sight for Atlanta commuters as they work to improve the roadway.

Expected traffic impact

Why you should care:

When this work eventually takes place, it will force southbound traffic onto Interstate 20 and northbound drivers onto Langford Parkway. These detours are expected to cause widespread backups on neighborhood roads and side streets. 

Stay informed on traffic

What you can do:

Drivers should monitor the Georgia Department of Transportation's social media pages or use navigation apps to check for the new construction schedule. You can also view previous coverage of the I-285 detours to plan your future alternate routes. 

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