Education

Atlanta colleges offer flexible schedules after I-85 bridge collapse

A large fire has caused an overpass on Interstate 85 in Atlanta to collapse. The massive blaze burned underneath a section of I-85 NB near Piedmont Road and shut down several roads in northeast Atlanta.

A large fire has caused an overpass on Interstate 85 in Atlanta to collapse. The massive blaze burned underneath a section of I-85 NB near Piedmont Road and shut down several roads in northeast Atlanta.

March 31, 2017

Atlanta's downtown universities are offering their students and employees flexible reporting and working schedules on Friday following a massive fire Thursday night on I-85 that led to a portion of the highway collapsing.

Emory, Georgia Tech and Georgia State universities posted alerts on their websites late Thursday encouraging their campus communities to discuss alternate arrangements with their supervisors, instructors and fellow students.

“Likewise, supervisors and faculty are asked to be flexible in accommodating employees’ and students’ needs during this unusual time,” read the alerts from Georgia State and Georgia Tech.

RELATED: 7 things to know about the I-85 fire, bridge collapse

RELATED: State of emergency issued

Emory University employees able to telecommute were encouraged to do so.

Employees of Emory Healthcare should report for work as usual, and are encouraged to build in extra travel time tomorrow.

The interstate fire was extinguished about an hour after it started. No cause had yet been given late Thursday night.

PHOTOS: Fire causes I-85 bridge collapse near Piedmont Road

Return to AJC.com for updates.

No first responders, pedestrians or drivers were hurt in the fire nor the collaspe of the bridge on the I-85 Northbound overpass.

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