The Georgia Department of Transportation announced that all interstate lane closures will be suspended for Memorial Day Weekend beginning Friday, May 22 at noon through Tuesday, May 26 at 5:00 a.m. to reduce anticipated travel delays and increase safety for travelers.
According to the announcement, while lane closures are suspended, construction crews may still be working near roadways and some long-term closures could remain in place for safety reasons. Emergency or incident-related lane closures may still occur as needed. Motorists are advised to stay alert, move over one lane when possible, and reduce speed when workers are present or when traveling through work zones. Increased traffic is expected around popular tourist destinations across the state.
Georgia DOT shared travel forecasts based on historical data from the previous year. For metro Atlanta interstates, typical congestion is expected Wednesday, May 20 from 3-7 p.m., with potential heavy traffic Thursday and Friday from noon to 8 p.m., and typical congestion again on Saturday afternoon. Lighter traffic is forecasted for Sunday and Monday. Surface streets in metro Atlanta are expected to see heavy traffic Wednesday through Friday afternoons into late evening. On major interstates outside metro Atlanta, moderate to heavy congestion is predicted on I-75 southbound and northbound out of Atlanta into Stockbridge; moderate congestion on I-85 and I-185 in West Georgia; light congestion on I-20 near Alabama; light congestion on I-24 near Chattanooga; heavy congestion on I-16 in East Georgia near Savannah; heavy congestion in West Georgia near Macon; light congestion elsewhere including South Georgia near Valdosta and Northeast Georgia near South Carolina.
The department also provided updates regarding Peach Pass usage across multiple states including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, and Rhode Island. Interoperability continues with Florida’s SunPass systems as well as North Carolina’s QuickPass.
Travelers are encouraged to drive defensively due to an increase in out-of-town drivers during the holiday weekend. The announcement reminds motorists about Georgia’s Move Over Law requiring drivers to slow down or move over one lane if an emergency or DOT vehicle with flashing lights is parked on the shoulder of the highway. Free assistance services such as Highway Emergency Response Operators (HERO) patrols in metro Atlanta and Coordinated Highway Assistance & Maintenance Program (CHAMP) operators outside metro Atlanta will be available throughout the period.
Additional safe driving tips include ensuring child safety restraints are properly used and not leaving children unattended in vehicles during stops. The department encourages use of its 511GA travel services for real-time information about road conditions via its website or app.
The Georgia Department of Transportation delivers transportation solutions that support economic development and benefit residents across the state by developing and maintaining roadways while supporting rail, transit and other programs under the State Transportation Board with approximately 4,000 employees operating statewide with a budget over $4.5 billion according to the official website.
For more information about Memorial Day travel conditions or services offered by HERO or CHAMP units statewide visit the organization’s press release.
