Delays clear on Downtown Connector after police activity

Traffic has eased on the Downtown Connector after police shut down the southbound lanes Tuesday at the height of the evening commute, causing significant backups for about two hours.

The southbound lanes of I-75 and I-85 were brought to a standstill near the Courtland Street exit in downtown Atlanta about 6:15 p.m., according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

It’s unclear what prompted the interstate closure, which caused heavy delays back to Midtown. Police began reopening the lanes just before 6:40 p.m., but southbound traffic was heavily affected, the Traffic Center reported.

Drivers looking to avoid the backups are urged to take Northside Drive, Peachtree Street or I-285, according to the Traffic Center.

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