We enter the second full week of cleanup and repairs on I-85, with school resuming in Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton today. As a resource to those of you who commute to work or travel through Atlanta as part of your duties, we’ll be providing updates on construction, GVRA policies related to teleworking, and more over the next few months. If you have questions regarding telecommuting, please consult with your supervisor as a first step.

New in today’s update is a statement from the Georgia Department of Transportation encouraging motorists to consider travel alternatives and describing all options, an updated detour map, and links to online state and provider resources.

Please email [email protected] if you have suggestions for information you believe would be useful for our coworkers and clients.

FROM GDOT: City and State Officials Urge Motorists to Consider Travel Alternatives – NEW!

​In the ten days since the I-85 bridge fire, Georgia motorists have taken advantage of a variety of commute options, helping to reduce congestion.

With the end of spring break, traffic volume in the Atlanta metro area is expected to increase by as much as 20 percent beginning today (Monday, April 10). Because of this, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed are joining the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) in urging both individuals and businesses to explore ways they can work differently.

"Georgia is an international business center, home to Fortune 500 companies and some of the most innovative and forward-thinking organizations in the world," said Gov. Deal. "The challenge posed by the closure of I-85 is one we can overcome if we all plan ahead and take advantage of the options available."

According to Georgia DOT, the expected increase in traffic volume next week has the potential to increase average travel times by at least 30 percent throughout metro Atlanta, drastically lowering the average speed on area roads due to increased congestion.

Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry advised employers that allowing telecommuting is the best way to keep cars off of the roads. He also encouraged businesses to consider allowing employees to alter their work schedules to avoid travel during the most congested times of day, 5-10 a.m. and 2:30-7 p.m.

"Both telecommuting and staggered work schedules help remove single-occupant vehicles from roadways during peak times, which contributes to our goal of reducing congestion as much as possible," said McMurry. "If we all work together, we can all get where we need to go in a relatively reasonable time frame."

Public transit like MARTA or GRTA Express Bus Service are easy and efficient options to reach and travel through the metro Atlanta area. The I-85 corridor has frequent and reliable train service via MARTA's rapid rail network and 38 stations around the metro area, directly serving major business centers north and south of the I-85 reconstruction.

"We need to remember how we handled the Centennial Olympic Games – the closest comparison we have to what we're facing over the next several weeks," said Mayor Reed. "During those two weeks, every employer, community and individual adjusted their behaviors. We should take the same approach in response to the Interstate 85 collapse, by taking advantage of telecommuting, MARTA, and ride-share options like Uber, UberPool and Lyft. Atlantans know how to persevere. We can pull together, help each other through the next several weeks, and demonstrate to the world that Atlanta is resilient, nimble, and undeterred."

Georgia DOT is offering resources to help motorists plan their commutes:

Visit www.dot.ga.gov for the most up-to-date maps and information on road closures and alternate routes
Visit www.511ga.org or dial 511 for routing information or to speak to an operator who can assist
Visit Georgia Commute Options for additional resources and information about available cash incentives for using commuting options
Visit www.itsmarta.com for MARTA routes and schedules
Visit www.grta.org for information on GRTA express routes

The Atlanta Regional Commission is providing alternate route options to commercial vehicles and large trucks to help them get through the region. These types of vehicles are also encouraged to only travel through the metro area during overnight hours and take advantage of I-285 to bypass the city.

"Georgia DOT is working in concert with many state and metro Atlanta transportation agencies and civic organizations to respond to the travel needs of Georgia's businesses and commuters," said McMurry. "We will continue monitoring conditions and providing information to assist the traveling public and keep Georgia moving."

Georgia DOT's goal is to ensure replacement of the I-85 Bridge as quickly as possible. The Department has committed to a delivery date of June 15 to reopen this critical section of infrastructure to traffic.

Figure 1Image shows construction crews to the left working on the missing section of I85 and an open lane of the Buford Connector.

Closures – UPDATED!

UPDATE: I-75SB ramp to I-85NB ramp is now open.

I-75/I-85 northbound traffic diverted to the Buford Spring Connector.

SR 400SB to I-85SB is closed. Traffic diverted to I-85NB. Last available exit is Sidney Marcus Blvd

I-85 SB is closed. Traffic diverted to SR 400NB. Last available exit is Lenox/Cheshire Bridge

Buford Spring Connector is open from Piedmont Road southbound

NOTE: Motorists are encouraged to utilize their favorite wayfinding app to help navigate to their destinations

Figure 2Map shows an open Buford Spring Detour for local traffic only, local road Detours on Sydney Marcus Boulevard, all southbound lanes of Piedmont Road open, and one lane of Highway 13 southbound open.

Accessible Transportation Options

(While other options may be available, those listed below include GVRA providers.)

MARTA Mobility

Metro Atlanta

http://itsmarta.com/marta-mobility.aspx

Clean and Friendly TaxiCab Service

222 Barnesville St. Ste. A

Thomaston, GA

(706) 938-0519

I Haul Transportation

66 New Hope Dr.

McDonough, GA

(478)390-4645

Mr. James Transportation Services, LLC

10130 Cherokee Dr., NW

Covington, GA

(678) 789-2801

Other Public Transportation Options

Below are links to websites for MARTA, Xpress, Gwinnett County Transit, and CobbLinc.

http://www.itsmarta.com/
http://www.xpressga.com/
https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/portal/gwinnett/Departments/Transportati…
https://www.cobbcounty.org/transportation/cobblinc

School Information – NEW!

Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett County Schools have all returned from Spring Break.

Travel Guidance

During the fire and ensuing collapse, commuters were stuck in their cars for several hours, similar to the aftermath of the “Snowpocalypse” ice storm of 2014. The Office of Emergency Preparedness encourages everyone to evaluate their car safety kits and be sure they are ready for potential emergency situations. A kit should include water, a phone charger, food, a blanket, clothes, and a flashlight. The complete guide is available at c.gatech.edu/emergencykit.

Please check back daily for updates.