Rain could soak runners in Sunday's Publix Georgia Marathon and Half-Marathon and cause headaches for road workers putting the finishing touches on the new Ga. 400/I-85 interchange.
Here's what you need to know to navigate Atlanta on this first weekend of spring:
Pack an umbrella:
Saturday morning should be dry, but there's a 30 percent chance of rain later in the day, and that risk of rain goes up to 70 percent Sunday, according to Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz. Nitz said highs will be in the mid-70s Saturday and mid-60s Sunday, with morning lows in the 50s. Check the full weekend traffic report and track changes.
32,000 feet pounding the pavement:
More than 16,000 runners are expected for Sunday morning's Publix Georgia Marathon and Half-Marathon, which begins at 7 a.m. The races start and finish in Centennial Olympic Park, with the course running through many intown neighborhoods, including the Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Little 5 Points and Poncey-Highland.
Fitness Expo:
The related Publix Georgia Marathon Health & Fitness Expo, which is free and open to the public, will be held Friday and Saturday at the Georgia World Congress Center.
And next door to the Congress Center:
The Hawks take on New Orleans Friday night at Philips Arena. Saturday night, Philips Arena hosts a concert by country superstar George Strait. Full list of weekend events.
Weekend construction roundup:
Beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, the HOV and two adjacent lanes will be closed on I-85 southbound from just north of Clairmont Road to Ga. 400, and the HOV lane could remain closed through 5 a.m. Tuesday, as workers install a large overhead sign structure for the new Ga. 400/I-85 interchange, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
On the top-end Perimeter, three lanes of I-285 westbound will be closed nightly from New Northside Drive to Cobb Parkway, while in Douglas County, a couple of lanes in each direction on I-20 will be shut down nightly between Ga. 5 and Liberty Road.
But all those construction closings are weather-permitting, so there might not be any lanes closed. Click here for up-to-the-minute traffic reports all weekend.
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