To ease Memorial Day weekend traffic congestion, the Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending construction-related lane closures from noon Friday, May 27 through 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 31 on interstates, and limiting lane closures on state routes that directly serve major tourist and recreation centers.

“We hope the suspension of major construction work will allow motorists to get to and from their holiday destinations with less congestion and less aggravation,” said GDOT Director of Construction Marc Mastronardi. “This is the first holiday of the summer travel season and many people are hitting the road. We want to make it a little easier for them to travel throughout the state.”

The Department reminds travelers to exercise caution as heavy holiday traffic is expected; crews may still work in proximity to highways; and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place. Also, incident management or emergency, maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any route.

Memorial Day weekend is considered one of the heaviest travel times. Traffic deaths are up and Georgia DOT urges drivers to DriveAlert ArriveAlive - to always buckle up, stay off the phone and focus on driving.

In the event of a crash or breakdown, GDOT advises motorists to never get out of the car on a freeway, unless your life is in imminent danger. If possible, pull off the road, turn on your hazard lights and stay seat-belted in the vehicle with the doors locked. Call 511 for HERO assistance in Metro Atlanta, or 911 for medical emergency service anywhere.

For updated information about travel conditions on Georgia’s interstates and state routes call 511, a free phone service that provides real-time statewide traffic and travel information, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.