Major lane closures will disrupt I-285 this weekend

Interstate 285 in Cobb County and on the west side of Atlanta will close in both directions starting Friday at 7 p.m. for major roadwork. All lanes are scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday.

The weekend closure is part of a project by the Georgia Department of Transportation to rebuild and repave 14 miles of the westside of I-285.

We’re showing you how to get around the backups, LIVE on Channel 2 Action News This Morning starting at 4:30 a.m.

GDOT has scheduled dozens of full weekend closures over the next three years to complete the roadwork.

This weekend’s project involves different closure lengths depending on the direction of travel.

Northbound lanes will close along a 1-mile stretch between South Cobb Drive and Atlanta Road.

Southbound lanes will close for 3 miles across two exits, starting at Paces Ferry Road.

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GDOT expects the closures to cause major disruptions and delays in Cobb County, with heavy traffic extending to local side streets.

Transportation officials are asking drivers to use detour routes, including Interstate 75, Interstate 20, and the Downtown Connector.

The roadwork has already affected area commuters navigating weekend travel.

Dorian Weng, a local driver, recalled being caught in congestion during a previous shutdown.

“I got caught off-guard the first time,” Weng said. “So I was sitting in traffic for an hour, like, what is going on?”

Other motorists noted that repairs are necessary despite the disruption.

Ronda Shepard, a driver in the area, pointed to poor road conditions along the corridor.

“It’s bad...the potholes, the divots, so it’s a necessary inconvenience, but yeah, I’m not looking forward to it,” Shepard said.

GDOT tentatively has full weekend closures set through the end of the year, though work will pause during Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks.

Rebuilding the 14-mile stretch of interstate is scheduled to take three years.