To ease Memorial Day weekend traffic congestion, the Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending construction-related lane closures from noon Friday, May 26 through 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 30 on Interstate Highways, and limiting lane closures on state routes that directly serve major tourist and recreation centers.

“This first holiday of the summer travel season is one of the heaviest travel times. We hope the suspension of major construction work will allow motorists to get to and from their holiday festivities with less congestion and less aggravation,” said Georgia DOT State Construction Engineer John Hancock. “As always, we urge motorists to exercise caution as crews may still work in proximity to highways and safety concerns may require 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.” Georgia DOT reminds drivers to Drive Alert Arrive Alive - 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. For HERO assistance in Metro Atlanta or CHAMP service on highways in other regions call 511, a free phone service that provides real-time statewide information on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, 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.