The Georgia Department of Transportation announced on May 11 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 delays across metro Atlanta. The department said the work is necessary for timely completion of construction required to rebuild this segment of I-285, which is one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the region.
During the closure, no traffic will be allowed through this section of I-285 at any time. Detours will be clearly marked: southbound traffic will be diverted to Interstate 20 (Exit 10) toward Interstate 75/Interstate 85 southbound, while northbound and westbound traffic will use State Route 166/Langford Parkway (Exit 5). Overhead message boards and roadside signage will alert drivers ahead of the closure.
Contractor crews are scheduled to mill and grind existing concrete pavement in preparation for slab repair and replacement. The department said a full closure is required to safely accommodate heavy equipment operations, provide adequate workspace for crews, and protect motorists. Additional closures may occur as construction continues through its scheduled completion in 2028.
The Georgia Department of Transportation delivers transportation solutions that support economic development across Georgia, employs about 4,000 staff members with an operating budget over $4.5 billion, focuses on developing roadways while supporting other transportation programs such as rail and transit, operates under the State Transportation Board, serves residents statewide through its network, and works with local governments as well as federal agencies to advance transportation efforts according to the official website.
Motorists are advised to avoid the affected corridor on Atlanta’s west side during this period; they should allow extra travel time or consider alternate routes while checking real-time updates using navigation apps like the state’s own “511GA” app.
