An extensive slate of road construction projects will block interstate lanes all over metro Atlanta this weekend, and with only a slight chance of rain forecast for Saturday and no rain predicted for Sunday, the weather won’t likely cause any delays in the work.
Here’s what you need to remember to avoid the traffic jams:
Busy weekend for work on I-75 and I-575 north of town
Work on the Express Lanes project will block two lanes of I-75 southbound at I-575 from 8 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday and one lane of I-75 in both directions at Chastain Road from 9 p.m. Friday through noon Saturday.
In that same area, authorities will be pacing, or temporarily blocking, all lanes of I-75 in both directions between Barrett Parkway and Ga. 92 from 7 to 8 a.m. on Sunday, and on I-575 in both directions between Barrett Parkway and Ga. 92 from 7 to 8 a.m. on Saturday.
In DeKalb County, striping will block three lanes of I-285 between Memorial Drive and East Ponce de Leon Avenue nightly throughout the weekend, while two lanes of the Perimeter in each direction will be shut down at Flat Shoals Road from 9 p.m. Friday through noon Sunday for bridge work and paving.
Other work will close two southbound lanes of I-285 from Bolton Road to I-20 all weekend, and rolling closures will block two northbound lanes of I-285 between Ga. 166 and South Atlanta Road from 9 p.m. Friday though 5 a.m. Monday.
Two lanes of I-85 in each direction between Riverdale Road and Cleveland Avenue will be closed all weekend for lane striping.
Just west of downtown, bridge work will shut down three lanes of I-20 westbound from Lee Street to Langhorn Street and three eastbound lanes of the interstate from Langhorn Street to Windsor Street from midnight Friday through 4 p.m. Saturday and again from midnight Saturday through 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
South of Atlanta in Henry County, two lanes of I-75 will be closed in both directions between Ga. 138 and Ga. 155 all weekend.
In Newton County, two eastbound lanes of I-20 from Almon Road to U.S. 278 will be closed throughout the weekend.
One lane of Ga. 400 in each direction will be shut down at Northridge Road from 9 p.m. Friday though 5 a.m. Saturday.
» For updated traffic information, listen to AM 750 and 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.
A few sprinkles possible on Saturday, but Sunday should be dry and cooler
Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said there’s a 20 percent chance of an isolated shower through Saturday afternoon, followed by clearing skies and cooler and much drier air.
“You’re going to notice a big difference, beginning Sunday,” Nitz said.
Nitz said highs Saturday will be around 79 degrees after a morning low of 67. He’s predicting a morning low Sunday of 57, with afternoon highs around 77.
» Check the full forecast and track changes.
College football, Braves games and festivals galore highlight weekend events
The Braves play the Mets Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon at Turner Field. Georgia Tech plays Tulane at 3:30 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Kennesaw State University plays Edward Waters in KSU’s first-ever home game at 4 p.m. Saturday and Clark Atlanta University plays Central State at home at 2 p.m.
The Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade begins at dusk Saturday on the Beltline’s Eastside Trail, and Stone Mountain Park hosts the annual Yellow Daisy Festival Friday through Sunday.
The inaugural Old Fourth Ward Fall Festival will be held Friday and Saturday at the Historic Old Fourth Ward Skate Park on Willoughby Way.
A few miles east of there, the 5 Arts Festival will be held Saturday in Little Five Points.
Other festivals this weekend include the ONE Musicfest Saturday at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood; the East Cobber Parade and Festival Saturday at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church; the Taste of Kennesaw Saturday in downtown Kennesaw; the Taste of Chamblee Saturday in downtown Chamblee; and the Small Town, Big World: Lilburn International Festival Saturday at Lilburn City Park.
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