Around 7 p.m. Thursday, crews were battling a massive fire on I-85 northbound just south of Ga. 400 when a section of the highway collapsed, officials said.
Fire officials extinguished it on Thursday night after it burned for more than an hour, fire officials said.
» RELATED: 7 things to know about the fiery I-85 bridge collapse
Fulton County Chairman John H. Eaves announced that county buildings in Midtown and downtown Atlanta, including courts and justice agencies, will have a delayed opening time of 10 a.m. Friday and urged commuters to take MARTA if possible.
"I am closely monitoring the situation related to the I-85 fire and bridge collapse. Fulton County has offered our support to the Georgia Department of Transportation and is working closely with the City of Atlanta. The staff of the Atlanta-Fulton Emergency Management Agency has activated to assist. We ask that commuters avoid the area while public safety personnel continues their response. Businesses should allow employees flexibility during commutes tomorrow and in coming days. Our special thanks to the firefighters and police officers on scene, whose quick work helped keep citizens safe during this unprecedented incident."
» PHOTOS: Atlanta I-85 fire -- Highway bridge collapses near Piedmont Road
Eaves also announced that employees whose commutes are directly affected and whose positions allow for teleworking should consider doing so on Friday.
If it’s not possible, he urged employees to consider alternate routes, including I-85 or Ga. 400 to I-75 or surface streets.
While MARTA service was not affected by the incident, Eaves said, travelers see a larger-than-usual volume of commuters.
Credit: WSB/Cox Media Group
Credit: WSB/Cox Media Group
According to Channel 2 Action News, Atlanta Public Schools will be on normal schedule Friday, but DeKalb County Schools will be canceled.
The City of Atlanta government offices and the Municipal Court of Atlanta will start later than usual at 10 a.m. Friday.
