Georgia DOT suspends lane closures, predicts best and worst times to travel during Thanksgiving holiday – Your local news

Atlanta – To accommodate the expected increase in holiday traffic, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) will begin closing lanes on Georgia highways, major state highways and roads near major shopping centers starting at 5 a.m. Wednesday, November 22nd , malls or districts until 10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, with the goal of improving traffic flow during the Thanksgiving holiday.

The lifting of the lane closures is part of efforts to minimize congestion and ensure a smooth travel experience for the public. Similar restrictions will be introduced to make holiday travel easier over Christmas and New Year.

While construction-related road closures are suspended, travelers are urged to remain vigilant. Construction crews may still be operating near highways and certain long-term lane closures may be maintained for safety reasons. In addition, lane closures related to incident management or emergency maintenance could be implemented on any route and at any time.

Travelers are advised to check road conditions, follow signs and exercise caution, especially near work areas. The Georgia DOT is committed to improving the safety and efficiency of leisure travel for all road users.

Georgia DOT expects traffic congestion to increase on metro Atlanta interstates beginning Monday afternoon, November 20th, with heavy to above average traffic expected for Wednesday, November 22nd. Motorists should therefore exercise caution on Sunday, November 26th. The day has a high potential for accidents, with traffic jams occurring between 5pm and 8pm following the bank holiday

If holiday travel is necessary, consider the following Thanksgiving travel forecast Metro Atlanta Interstates: Moderate Traffic on Monday November 20th and Tuesday November 21stMost difficult Traffic and congestion on Wednesday November 22nd between 12pm and 6pmLight Traffic Thursday November 23rd and Friday November 24thModerate Traffic is expected to return on Saturday November 25th and Sunday November 27th as people head homeHeavy traffic and high risk of accidents Sunday, November 26th
Additionally, historical 2022 Thanksgiving travel data for major highways outside metro Atlanta showed the following trends from Monday, November 20 through Sunday, November 26: Congestion on I-20 eastbound on Wednesday, November 23 toward Metro Atlanta; Westbound traffic jam Sunday, November 27 toward Alabama I-75 expected to be heavily congested southbound and northbound coming from Atlanta at Stockbridge I-85 and I-185 traffic jam in West Georgia near AlabamaI- 24 eastbound traffic jam near Chattanooga. I-16 westbound traffic jam exiting Savannah and I-16 eastbound traffic jam entering Savannah. Below are the adjusted schedules for the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes and South Metro Express Lanes. Significant changes to the routine schedule, shown below in orange text, will be implemented between November 20th and 26th. Please note that timetables may change due to traffic conditions.Georgia DOT suspends lane closures, predicts best and worst times to travel during Thanksgiving holiday – Your local news
With Black Friday shopping, historical data shows these traffic forecasts for corridors near popular shopping districts in the Atlanta area:

Lenox Mall (SR 141/Peachtree Rd)
Heavy but better than normal traffic expected
Worst time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m

Perimeter Mall (Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Hammond Dr, Perimeter Center W)
Heavy but better than normal traffic expected
Worst time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m

Cumberland Mall (SR 3N/Cobb Pkwy)
Heavy but better than normal traffic expected
Worst time: 1 – 4 p.m

Mall of Georgia (SR 20/Buford Dr)
Heavier traffic than expected
Worst time: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m

Ponce City Market/Midtown Place (SR 8/Ponce De Leon Ave)
Heavy but better than normal traffic expected
Worst time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m

Edgewood Retail District (SR 42/Moreland Ave)Heavy but better than normal traffic expectedWorst time: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. The weekend is expected to be a good time to travel on metro Atlanta’s surface roads less traffic than usual.

Driving safety tips:

Driving alarm, stay fastened, minimize distractions:
Drivers should always drive defensively, with their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road, during the Thanksgiving travel season and beyond. Too much turkey? Don’t worry, seat belts stretch! Always fasten your seatbelt before setting off. Click It or Ticket remains fully valid during the holiday travel period. Passengers should not operate a motor vehicle without first wearing their seat belt.

Plan ahead

Before you go, visit 511ga.org. Download the free 511 Georgia app for turn-by-turn navigation and estimated travel times, traffic camera check and real-time travel speeds.

Call 511 to request HERO or CHAMP assistance

HERO employees patrol the Atlanta metropolitan area 24 hours a day. It is a free service in the state of Georgia. CHAMP operators patrol highways outside of the Atlanta metropolitan area (except I-59 and I-24) and are free.

Move over for first responders

Traffic-related incidents are one of the leading causes of death for police officers. Let us all do our part to ensure road safety. Drive alert, eliminate distractions and stay focused on the road. If traffic is too heavy to cross safely, the law instead requires drivers to slow below the posted speed limit and be ready to stop.

Georgia’s move-over law requires drivers to move across a lane, if possible, when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights is parked on the side of the road.

Vehicles covered by the law include all first responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS), commercial vehicles, DOT vehicles, HERO and CHAMP units, and towing services responding to an accident.

For current information on travel conditions on Georgia’s interstate and state routes, call 511 or visit www.511ga.org before you leave. 511 is a free service that provides real-time, statewide information on Georgia’s highways and state routes, including traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures and delays due to inclement weather, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers can also be routed to operators to request HERO assistance in the Atlanta metropolitan area or CHAMP service on highways in other regions of the state.