Biden travels to Atlanta for Senate runoff rally, causes traffic delays

[5:24 p.m.] Interstates are slowly reopening, but drivers can expect continued delays as traffic starts to move in both directions on I-20 near the Downtown Connector, as well as in both directions on I-75 and I-85 at I-20.

[5:06 p.m.] President-elect Joe Biden’s motorcade is headed toward Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport after he spoke at a rally at the Pratt Pullman Yard in the Kirkwood neighborhood. I-75 South and I-85 South are both shut down at I-20. I-20 East is also closed, as well as all the roads that adjoin at the Downtown Connector, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. Drivers are advised to take I-285 as an alternate.

[3:55 p.m.] More than a half-hour after President-elect Joe Biden landed in Atlanta, he has arrived at the Pratt Pullman Yard in the Kirkwood neighborhood. The closures along the Downtown Connector, I-20 and Ga. 166 have ended.

[3:23 p.m.] I-20 in both directions is closed as the Georgia State Patrol works to clear the route for Biden’s motorcade.

[UPDATE, 3:13 p.m.] President-elect Joe Biden has just left Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and his motorcade is on the move, making the trek north toward Pratt Pullman Yard in the Kirkwood neighborhood. Ga. 166 is shut down in both directions, and I-75 North and I-85 North are both shut down south of 166.

ORIGINAL STORY: Atlanta is President-elect Joe Biden’s first travel destination after his victory was confirmed by the Electoral College on Monday, and his visit is expected to cause delays and heavy traffic in the city.

Biden, a Democrat, is in town to stump for his party’s two Senate candidates, the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. The former Vice President will appear at a drive-in rally with Ossoff and Warnock around 2 p.m. at the Pratt-Pullman Yard in Kirkwood, located at 21 Rogers Street. The site is commonly used as a filming location and hosts drive-in movies.

Biden’s exact travel plans have not been confirmed.