When the elevated section of I-85 and near Ga. 400 went down, it was documented with photos and videos by ordinary Atlanta residents who happened to be in the area. They were there before the collapse, when it was just a fire, and after to see the line of traffic stretching for miles.

At first, it was just a fire underneath the highway...

Then the smoke intensified...

And then it got really bad.

This redditor filmed himself driving by the fire. The noises you hear in the video are pieces of debris hitting the car, according to his video description.

Traffic was a nightmare, as you’d expect.

The smoke was widely visible.

About the Author

Keep Reading

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will expand to 48 teams, marking the first expansion of the field since 1998. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez