2:40 p.m. update: The Georgia Department of Transportation reports there are still about 250 traffic signals out across the state. And the agency says that's causing problems because some drivers don't seem to know what to do when they come across one.
For the record, here’s what you’re supposed to do under Georgia law:
*Treat a dark stoplight like a four-way stop intersection. In other words, yield to pedestrians, then the first driver to arrive at the intersection gets to go first. If two cars arrive simultaneously, yield to the driver on your right.
*Treat a flashing red signal the same way – as a four-way stop.
*If you encounter a flashing yellow light, yield to vehicles in the intersection, then proceed with caution.
“We just want to remind people how to do that,” GDOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale said Wednesday. “It’s not like we have to do it that often, but people seem to have forgotten.”
Dale said most of the dark lights are out for lack of power.
11:20 a.m. update: GDOT crews are still working to clear trees blocking highways at 72 locations around the state.
Spokeswoman Natalie Dale said most of the incidents are in GDOT’s District 3, which encompasses west central Georgia. She said that part of the state was hit particularly hard by Irma.
In metro Atlanta, Dale said any remaining blocked highways likely involve downed power lines. GDOT is working with Georgia Power to clear such incidents, but the utility has its hands full trying to restore power to hundreds of thousands of people.
Meanwhile, GDOT has extended a suspension of construction-related lane closures south of I-20 until 10 p.m. Thursday. The suspension originally was to expire Tuesday.
Original post: The I-75 South Metro Express Lanes in Clayton and Henry counties are still accommodating southbound traffic only as Florida residents continue to return home after fleeing Hurricane Irma.
The 12 miles of reversible toll lanes, which opened in January, usually carry northbound traffic into Atlanta in the morning and southbound out of the city in the afternoon. But the Georgia Department of Transportation has abandoned that schedule to alleviate Irma-related traffic.
On Friday GDOT kept the lanes open to northbound traffic to accommodate evacuees from Florida and coastal Georgia. The agency also dropped the toll and opened the lanes to everyone – usually motorists have to have a Peach Pass or Florida SunPass to use them.
On Monday, the state reversed the lanes to accommodate southbound traffic. They will remain southbound lanes for the time being, GDOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale said Wednesday. And they are still open to anyone.
About the Author
