Traffic on the outer loop of the Perimeter was brought to a halt Friday for several hours after a tractor-trailer caught on fire.
The vehicle caught fire around 2:25 p.m. on I-285 near Camp Creek Parkway. The interstate reopened to traffic about 8:30 p.m., according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Firefighters responded to battle the blaze at about 2:40 p.m., while East Point police handled traffic at the scene, Atlanta fire spokeswoman Alyssa Richardson said.
No injuries were reported.
**UPDATE** Traffic no longer diverted. Still a GRIDLOCK ALERT with only a left lane open at the cleanup scene. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/CVe2bcmctT
— Triple Team Traffic (@WSBTraffic) March 31, 2023
As soon as the interstate closed down, alternative routes, including I-20 eastbound toward I-75, became jammed.
The incident occurred as GDOT warned travelers to expect delays as spring breakers start to hit the roads.
More travelers 🚗= heavy traffic 🚨 🚕
— 511 GA - A Service of Georgia DOT (@511Georgia) March 31, 2023
Be aware of potential heavy travel on these interstate hotspots outside of #metroATL today for #SpringBreak based on historical travel data 🔽. pic.twitter.com/q28PiIBE8P
“More travelers = heavy traffic,” the department said.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
