To ease Thanksgiving traffic congestion statewide, Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending construction-related lane closures on interstate highways, heavily traveled state routes and roadways near major shopping centers, malls, and shopping districts from 6 a.m. Wednesday, November 22 to 5 a.m. Monday, November 27. Similar restrictions will be in place for Christmas and New Year’s.
 
“As people visit friends and family for the Thanksgiving holiday, and shop on Black Friday, we anticipate heavy traffic,” said Georgia DOT State Construction Engineer John D. Hancock. “For easier and safer travel we are limiting construction and associated lane closures.”
 
Heavy traffic is also expected at various Metro Atlanta sports venues. The Hawks are at Philips Arena on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights; Thursday is the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon & 5K at Georgia State Stadium (formerly Turner Field); Saturday sees Georgia Tech versus Georgia at Bobby Dodd Stadium, as well as Panthers football at Georgia State Stadium; and Sunday, the Falcons are at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
 
The Department reminds travelers to exercise caution as crews may still work in proximity to highways and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place. Also, incident management or emergency, maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any interstate or state route.
 
“We typically see an increase in roadway fatalities during heavy travel holidays,” Hancock said. “I urge drivers to slow down and drive alert. Put down the cell phone and make sure you and your passengers buckle up. Let’s make this a happy Thanksgiving for all.”
 
For up-to-date information about travel conditions on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, call 511 or visit www.511ga.org before heading out. 511 is a free service that provides real-time statewide information on Georgia’s interstates 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 transfer to operators to request HERO assistance in metro Atlanta or CHAMP service on highways in other regions of the state.