Construction delays expected Sunday morning on Ga. 400

By Mike Morris

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Motorists traveling on Ga. 400 Sunday morning could be delayed if the rain forecast for the weekend breaks long enough for crews to do utility work near Hammond Drive.

Weather permitting, crews will be stopping traffic in both directions four times for about 15 minutes each time, according to Mark McKinnon, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

The delays, which could come at any time between 6 a.m. and noon Sunday, "are necessary for Georgia Power to pull lines across Ga. 400," McKinnon said.

He said the ramps from I-285 eastbound and westbound to Ga. 400 northbound would also be blocked and that motorists "should expect delays."

The utility relocation is related to the $18.2 million Hammond interchange project that is expected to be completed in the fall of 2011.

Elsewhere across metro Atlanta, there are no major road projects expected to cause delays this weekend.

Next week, the DOT has suspended construction-related lane closures statewide from 5 a.m. Wednesday through midnight on Sunday for the Thanksgiving holiday period.

Downtown events this weekend include a Hawks game at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Philips Arena and Thrashers games at the arena at 7 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m.  Sunday.

Next door to the arena, the Georgia World Congress Center will host an estimated 10,000 participants for the Athletic National Cheer and Dance competition, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.

The "Lighting of Atlantic Station" begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, when the switch will be flipped on more than 250,000 holiday lights throughout the eight-block district. The lighting caps a day of concerts that begin at 2 p.m.