The Georgia Department of Transportation announced on May 14 that all northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 285 between State Route 139/Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive (exit 9) and Cascade Road (exit 7) in Fulton County will be closed from Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. until Monday, May 18 at 5 a.m., weather permitting.
This closure is part of the ongoing I-285 Westside reconstruction project and is expected to cause significant travel delays throughout metro Atlanta and the surrounding region. The department said no traffic will be permitted through this section during the closure period, urging motorists to plan ahead and consider alternate routes.
According to the announcement, detours will be clearly marked: southbound I-285 traffic will be diverted to Interstate 20 (Exit 10) toward I-75/I-85 southbound, while northbound and westbound I-285 traffic will use State Route 166/Langford Parkway (Exit 5). Overhead message boards and roadside signage are in place to alert drivers before they reach the closure area.
The work includes milling existing concrete pavement as well as preparing for slab repair and replacement. Full closure is required “to safely accommodate heavy equipment operations, provide adequate workspace for crews, and protect motorists,” according to the department’s statement.
This $206 million effort spans ten miles from SR14/South Fulton Parkway in College Park to Collier Road. Construction is scheduled for completion in 2028. The Georgia Department of Transportation delivers transportation solutions that support economic development across the state; it employs about 4,000 staff members with an operating budget over $4.5 billion; focuses on developing roadways while supporting rail, transit and other programs; operates under the State Transportation Board; serves residents statewide through its network; and works with local governments as well as federal agencies—all according to the official website.
Drivers are reminded by GDOT officials to wear seatbelts, stay alert in work zones, slow down near construction areas, follow posted signage closely, move over when possible for crews’ safety—and check real-time updates using navigation tools such as the state’s official app.
