I-285 lane closures north of Atlanta postponed again

Construction continues on a new I-285 interchange at Ga. 400 ( File photo by Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Construction continues on a new I-285 interchange at Ga. 400 ( File photo by Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

UPDATE: These planned lane closures are now delayed until Summer 2022

Rainy weather has again forced the Georgia Department of Transportation to postpone closing lanes at the top of I-285.

GDOT expected to close two of the Perimeter’s five lanes in one direction between Roswell Road and Ashford Dunwoody Road beginning this coming weekend, with an identical reduction of lanes in the opposite direction coming the following weekend. But spokeswoman Natalie Dale said rainy weather in recent days means the lanes won’t be closed this weekend.

The new timetable for the lane closures is unclear.

“GDOT continues to work closely with the contractor to manage the schedule and delivery of the project,” Dale said.

The lane closures are part of the massive reconstruction of the I-285 interchange at Ga. 400. GDOT and North Perimeter Contractors are building new ramps at the interchange and new lanes on both highways. They’re also reconfiguring various interchanges and replacing numerous bridges.

Part of the project involves replacing I-285 bridges over Glenridge Drive, Ga. 400 and Peachtree Dunwoody Road. To do that, GDOT plans to close two lanes of the Perimeter in each direction. The lane closures are expected to last until next summer.

When it happens, the lane closures are expected to cause huge traffic jams, and GDOT urges motorists to avoid the area if they can.

Construction is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2022.