Most of metro Atlanta had to slow down for wet pavement Friday morning, but drivers on Ga. 400 had to dodge fowl.
A wild turkey tried his fate on the side of Ga. 400 South Friday morning, crossing the freeway at least twice. It was first spotted on the left shoulder at Holcomb Bridge Road about 8:30 a.m.
In the hour-and-a-half that followed, the turkey meandered back and forth between the shoulder and a median on the other side. For one of the bird’s crossings just before 10 a.m., police held all southbound lanes to allow it to pass safely.
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With commuters tapping their brake lights and moving over to avoid hitting the turkey, the trip from Old Milton Parkway to I-285 slowed considerably, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
“For the first time in my 21 years reporting Atlanta traffic, we have turkey delays on Ga. 400,” WSB traffic reporter Mark Arum said.
At one point, two drivers stopped to try and wrangle the feathered traveler. For about five minutes, the would-be rescuers chased the turkey through the median with a blanket. Their efforts were unsuccessful.
Roswell police said that eventually, dispatch stopped getting calls about the turkey. It appears to have retreated into the woods near the entrance ramp to Ga. 400, spokeswoman Officer Lisa Holland told AJC.com.
No word on if the bird will attempt to brave Atlanta traffic again.
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