The Thursday morning commute saw intense delays all along the top end of the Perimeter after a police investigation closed a major exit ramp in Sandy Springs.
It was one of the first major incidents to test the newly restricted interchange at I-285 and Ga. 400, which was reduced to three westbound lanes over the weekend as part of the final phase of a Georgia Department of Transportation construction project.
One eastbound lane was closed earlier this month to allow GDOT to work on three new bridges between Ashford Dunwoody and Roswell roads. The closures are expected to last eight months or more.
Credit: John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com
Credit: John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com
Thursday’s investigation shut down the ramp from I-285 West to Roswell Road shortly before 5 a.m. and did not clear until about 8:15 a.m., resulting in bumper-to-bumper conditions all the way back to I-85, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
The ramp from Ga. 400 North to I-285 West was also closed while police were on the scene, the Traffic Center reported. Sandy Springs police confirmed they were investigating a death but could not release further details.
Credit: John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com
Credit: John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com
Even after the ramps reopened, the morning commute was jammed all through the northern suburbs. It was further complicated by a second predawn crash on Ga. 400 South that caused trouble at the Abernathy Road exit.
Two left lanes reopened on Ga. 400 shortly before 7:30 a.m., but gridlock conditions stretched back to the Chattahoochee River for much of the morning.
GDOT knew colossal jams caused by traffic incidents were a possibility when the closures took effect. Natalie Dale, spokesperson for the agency, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the best practice is to avoid the area until construction is complete.
“I think motorists will quickly find that it is much less stressful and complicated to go around (the interchange) than go through,” she said earlier this month. “Going around may add 20 minutes to your trip, but going through could change your entire day.”
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