February 18, 2003

After more than a year of preparation work, the first I-75/85 lane closures caused by construction of the 17th Street Bridge in Downtown Atlanta will occur this Friday, Feb. 21.

"We have not had to impact travel so far, but that will change beginning this weekend," says Metro the Georgia Department of Transportation's District Construction Engineer Mickey McGee. "We anticipate placing beams and closing some portion of I-75/I-85 during the night for the next eight to 10 weekends."

In almost all cases, says the Georgia DOT., work will be done on Friday and Saturday nights. Single lane closures will begin at 8 p.m., while multiple lane closures can begin at 9 p.m. Construction crews must have all lanes reopened at 10 a.m. the next morning.

This Friday night, crews will close two left lanes on I-85 Northbound (including the HOV lane), as well as the I-75 Northbound and Southbound HOV lanes. There will be no closure on Saturday night.

The project essentially extends 17th Street 1.523 miles over I-75/I-85 (commonly referred to as the Downtown Connector) from the new Atlantic Station development to West Peachtree Street and also includes realignment of Techwood Drive. Once the beams are set, construction crews will continue work on the bridge until December 31 without lane closures. The estimated cost is $38.2 million.

For continuous updates will be available starting each Monday on the Georgia DOT web site (www.dot.state.ga.us) and the toll free phone number (1-888-419-GDOT). In addition, the Department will ensure all media outlets have the closure information and keep the public advised.