The Georgia Department of Transportation will scale back its construction projects across northwest Georgia – suspending construction-related lane closures on all interstate and major state system highways to ease Memorial Day weekend traffic congestion. Beginning at noon on Friday, May 26 and extending to 5 a.m., Tuesday, May 30, 2017, there essentially will be no construction-related scheduled lane closures on any Georgia interstate highway or primary state route that directly serve Georgia’s major tourist and recreation centers.
“We hope this suspension of major construction work will allow motorists to get to and from their holiday destinations with less congestion and less aggravation,” said DeWayne Comer, district engineer at the DOT office in Cartersville. “We understand that a lot of people are hitting the road for Memorial Day, the first holiday of the summer travel season, and we would like to make it a little easier for them to go through northwest Georgia”.
The Department notes that some work may continue on lesser-traveled state and local system roads and that incident or emergency maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary on any route.
Georgia DOT reminds drivers to Drive Alert Arrive Alive – to always buckle up, stay off the phone and focus on driving.
In the event of a crash or breakdown, GDOT advises motorists to never get out of the vehicle on a freeway, unless your life is in imminent danger. If possible, pull off the road, turn on your hazard lights and stay seat-belted in the vehicle with the doors locked. For HERO assistance in Metro Atlanta or CHAMP service on interstates in northwest Georgia call 511, a free phone service that provides real-time statewide information on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.
Georgia’s Move-Over Law—aka the Spencer Pass Law—says drivers must move over one lane or slow down and be prepared to stop when approaching a stationary law enforcement, emergency vehicle, construction crew or utility service vehicle utilizing traffic cones or displaying flashing emergency lights. This includes Georgia DOT’s HEROs and CHAMPs. While the fine for breaking the law can be up to $500, the consequences can be far more serious.
For more information about 511, visit 511ga.org. For information on the Department of Transportation, visit (www.dot.ga.gov); you also may like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/GeorgiaDOT-Northwest) and follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/GDOTNW)