DeKalb government tells employees to stay home after I-85 bridge collapse

Thousands of DeKalb County government employees are being told to stay home Friday after a fire burned down a bridge on I-85.

Only police, fire, emergency, trash pick-up and other essential employees are required to report to work, said county spokesman Quinn Hudson.

Heavy traffic is expected in DeKalb, and keeping workers at home will reduce the load on roadways, he said.

“If they can’t get to work, they won’t be penalized in any way,” he said.

Employees are being encouraged to telework if they’re able to.

The DeKalb school system previously announced that classes were canceled Friday out of concern for the safety of students.