I-285 Westside closure returns this weekend for construction

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A stretch of I-285 is set to close again this weekend, starting on Friday afternoon.

From 7 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday, the well-traveled interstate will be shut down in both directions on the Westside between SR 139/MLK Jr. Drive (Exit 9) and Cascade Road (Exit 7).

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If this seems familiar, that’s because it is. The same stretch of I-285 was closed for another weekend last month, and will be closed again in the future as crews grind the pavement and replace it with slabs.

Delores Norman takes I-285 to work every day. She says after last month’s closure, she is prepared.

“I actually came to work early just to make sure I’m off well before the closing so I can get home and I’m not in no traffic,” Norman said.

The full $206 million project covers about 10 miles and is expected to end in 2028.

The Georgia Department of Transportation says crews need the uninterrupted time to keep the project on schedule and save construction time in the long run.

Drivers should plan alternate routes and expect congestion on I-20, I-75 and Langford Parkway over the weekend, as well as local roads across southwest Atlanta and Fulton County.

MARTA bus users should also expect delays and longer wait times.

According to the transportation agency, the following routes will be most affected:

• Route 2 – Ponce De Leon, Donald Lee Hollowell
• Route 3 – King Memorial Station, H.E. Holmes Station
• Route 5 – Piedmont Road, Sandy Springs
• Route 14 – Bland Town/Hightower Road
• Route 26 – James Jackson Pkwy, Perry Boulevard
• Route 42 – McDaniel Street/Pryor Road
• Route 51 – Joseph E. Boone, Ralph McGill
• Route 52 – Marietta Road
• Route 66 – Brownlee Road, Harbin Road
• Route 71 – Cascade Road
• Route 73 – Fulton Industrial
• Route 83 – Campbellton Road
• Route 84 – Camp Creek
• Route 96 – Dogwood Drive/Virginia Avenue
• Route 115 – Kensington Sta. Stone Crest Mall
• Route 116 – Redan Road
• Route 117 – Stone Mountain, Panola Road
• Route 120 – E. Ponce De Leon
• Route 165 – Fairburn Road/Camp Creek Pkwy
• Route 178 – Mt. Zion Road
• Route 184 – Camp Creek
• Route 191 – Riverdale/ ATL International Terminal
• Route 194 – Conley Road/ Mount Zion
• MARTA Reach Zone 304

The closure is one of several major construction projects ongoing in the area, including work on the flyover bridges at I-285 on the Westside.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.