The state Department of Transportation is warning metro Atlanta motorists to expect heavy spring break traffic on southbound interstates this weekend, with congestion anticipated as soon as early Friday afternoon.
And for those heading north to the mountains, the city of Woodstock warns that I-575 will be closed at Ridgewalk Parkway from 10 p.m. Friday until about noon Sunday to replace a bridge. Motorists will diverted onto exit and entrance ramps at Ridgewalk to bypass the construction zone.
Either way, a chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon sets up a recipe for a dreadful commute.
Southbound I-75 will be particularly congested as spring breakers and families head to Florida. The DOT warned that traffic will be "extremely heavy" after 1 p.m. Friday and again on Saturday morning.
Aside from the extra volume from spring break travel, there will be the usual assortment of construction lane closures this weekend, according to Doug Turnbull in the AM750 and 95.5FM News/Talk WSB Traffic Center.
In Clayton County, the two left lanes of I-75 southbound will be closed between the U.S. 19/41 exit and Mt. Zion Road, beginning at 9 p.m. Friday and continuing through 8 a.m. Monday. Turnbull said traffic "could be extra-thick, due to spring break travels."
The two right lanes of the Downtown Connector northbound from Ga. 166 to University Avenue will also be closed during those hours.
In DeKalb County, motorists should be on the lookout for lane closures on the ramps from I-285 eastbound to Ashford Dunwoody Road and I-285 westbound to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard this weekend.
For the second straight weekend, Ponce de Leon Avenue will be blocked from Boulevard to Freedom Parkway between 9 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday for bridge work.
Congestion can be expected downtown around Philips Arena, where the Hawks play the Knicks Friday night.
Channel 2 Action News meteorologist is predicting a 60 percent chance of rain Friday. A few showers could linger through Saturday morning, but the remainder of the weekend should be dry, with highs in the 70s on Saturday and 80s on Sunday.
-- Dispatch editor David Ibata contributed to this article.
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