Taking the Buford-Spring Connector this weekend? Not so fast

Better tweak your GPS devices and check trip times, metro Atlanta. Some lanes of a highly-traveled downtown freeway connector will be closed this weekend.

Southbound lanes of the Buford-Spring Connector will be shut down as a result of “routine” work, Georgia Department of Transportation spokeswoman Annalysce Baker told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Closures are rare on the Connector, which sees a daily average of 29,000 vehicles in both directions, she said. All southbound lanes between Piedmont Avenue and West Peachtree Street will be closed Saturday and Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on both days.

The closure will require motorists to take alternate routes.

» Drivers traveling on I-85 southbound to Ga. 13 southbound to Peachtree Street [exit 86] should continue on I-85 southbound. Use the 10th/14th/17th Street exit [exit 84]. Go right to exit on 17th Street. Turn left on 17th Street to access West Peachtree Street or Spring Street.

» Southbound traffic on the Buford-Spring Connector should use the I-75/I-85 southbound exit and continue on I-85 southbound. Use the 10th/14th/17th Street exit [exit 84]. Go right to exit on 17th Street, then turn left on 17th Street to access West Peachtree Street or Spring Street.

Message boards and detour signs will be in place to help motorists cope with the closure, the GDOT said.