Several interstate exit and entrance ramps in Cobb and Fulton counties will be shut down this weekend as part of the I-75 repaving project.
The ramp from I-75 southbound to I-285 eastbound (Exit 259) will be closed from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, according to the state Department of Transportation. Crews will also be blocking the I-75 southbound ramps to and from Mount Paran Road (Exit 256) from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Additionally, the I-75 southbound ramp to and from West Paces Ferry Road (Exit 255) will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday through 10 a.m. Saturday, while the ramps to and from Northside Drive/Howell Mill Road (Exit 252) will be shut down from 8 p.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Saturday.
On the northbound side of I-75, the resurfacing project will shut down the two right lanes between Mount Paran Road and Cumberland Boulevard from 8 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday.
On Sunday night, crews will be shutting down the exit ramp from I-85 southbound to 17th, 14th and 10th streets, beginning at 9 o'clock and continuing through 5 a.m. Monday.
The roadwork could make it particularly tough for motorists trying to get to the Cobb Galleria area for the Southeastern Flower Show, going on all weekend, and for Saturday night's sold-out Atlanta Opera performance of Porgy and Bess at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Also impacted will be motorcycle racing fans headed to the Georgia Dome for Saturday's Monster Energy AMA Supercross event, which begins at 7 p.m.
"Over 55,000 are expected to be in attendance, and as is the case with most entertainment shows such as AMA Supercross, the vast majority of fans leave at the same time once the show has concluded, forcing a traffic back-up with everyone trying to exit at once," said Dome spokesman Jason Kirksey. "As always, fans are encouraged to use MARTA as an alternative transportation option."
Other downtown events this weekend include Thrashers games at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Sunday at Philips Arena.
The weather should be great the first half of the weekend, with sunny skies and highs in the mid-60s forecast for Saturday, but Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Karen Minton said Sunday will be mostly cloudy, with a 20 percent chance of afternoon showers and highs in the low 70s.
About the Author
