The HOV on and off ramps on I-85 at Lindbergh Drive were shut down Monday night — and will remain closed for six months — for the massive rebuilding of the I-85/Ga. 400 interchange.
According to state Department of Transportation spokesman Mark McKinnon, the ramps are being closed to construct a bridge foundation necessary for part of the project to provide connecting ramps from Ga. 400 southbound to I-85 northbound and from I-85 southbound to Ga. 400 northbound.
The HOV ramps were originally scheduled to be closed on Jan. 16, but rainy weather prevented the closure, McKinnon said. Then, the DOT decided to hold off on closing the ramps until Monday night to make it easier for fans going to Sunday’s Falcons game to get to the Lindbergh MARTA station.
McKinnon said that as the project progresses, lane closures can be expected on I-85 and Ga. 400, as well as on Buford Highway, Cheshire Bridge Road and Sidney Marcus Boulevard, particularly in the overnight hours.
The closed HOV ramps are expected to reopen by July 21, and McKinnon said the entire project is currently on schedule to be completed by the end of the year.
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