A grateful motorist waves at construction workers after a major connection over Interstate I-285 in Sandy Springs reopened to commuter traffic Monday morning, April 22, 2024, just after 9 a.m. Drivers who use Mt. Vernon Highway began crossing the interstate again after the new bridge opened bringing relief to drivers who have been subject to longer detour delays because of the closing of the Mt. Vernon Bridge over I-285. Repairs have been ongoing since September when a tractor-trailer hauling an excavator on I-285 hit the underside of the bridge calling into question the integrity of the bridge by officials resulting in its shutdown. The aging bridge was previously scheduled to be replaced as part of the Georgia DOT project to add a new lane on I-285 westbound. The new bridge now has just two lanes, one going in each direction. (John Spink/AJC)
By Adrianne Murchison
April 22, 2024
The Mount Vernon Highway bridge over I-285 in Sandy Springs reopened to vehicular traffic on Monday, months ahead of schedule.
Sandy Springs is advising drivers to use caution as crews work to complete pedestrian features on the bridge.
A major connection over Interstate I-285 in Sandy Springs reopened to commuter traffic Monday morning just after 9 am. Drivers who use Mt. Vernon Highway began crossing the interstate again after the new bridge opened bringing relief to drivers who have been subject to longer detour delays because of the closing of the Mt. Vernon Bridge over I-285. Repairs have been ongoing since September when a tractor-trailer hauling an excavator on I-285 hit the underside of the bridge calling into question the integrity of the bridge by officials resulting in its shutdown. The aging bridge was previously scheduled to be replaced as part of the Georgia DOT project to add a new lane on I-285 westbound. The new bridge now has just two lanes, one going in each direction. (John Spink/AJC)
Detours to Roswell Road, Riverside Drive or Long Island Drive while the bridge was under construction added significant delays to motorists’ drive time.
A commenter on Sandy Springs’ Facebook page wrote, “Hallelujah!” on news of the bridge opening.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported that the new bridge is part of a project that adds an auxiliary lane along I-285 between Roswell Road and Riverside Drive.
