Schools
What Does I-85 Collapse Mean For Atlanta Schools?
BREAKING: Atlanta schools are discussing Friday plans after Interstate 85 in Midtown collapsed & is expected to be shut for weeks.
ATLANTA, GA -- Atlanta Public Schools had an emergency meeting late Thursday to decide whether to close schools Friday in the wake of a fire and partial interstate collapse on I-85 that snarled traffic.
Police and State Troopers turned vehicles around on the interstate and sent southbound traffic back north as the south Buckhead/Midtown area descended into gridlock.
The Georgia State Patrol said it was working with the Georgia Department of Transportation and Atlanta police and fire departments with traffic control measures, spokesperson Tracey Watson told Patch.
Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
I-85 bridge collapse: DeKalb Schools make decision on Friday classes
About 9:15 p.m., the school district announced on Twitter that it would operate on a "normal schedule" on Friday.
Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Atlanta Public Schools will operate on a normal schedule Friday, March 31.
— ATL Public Schools (@apsupdate) March 31, 2017
The school district also asked that APS staffers make arrangements to come in early to receive students.
Fulton County schools announced that it too would operate on a normal schedule for Friday. "Employees who live south of Atlanta are encouraged to leave home with ample time to arrive to work," the district said on Twitter.
Around rush hour, huge flames were seen on the interstate as vehicles came to a stop. Smoke billowed into the air and could be seen miles away as traffic began and slow descent into paralysis.
Stay away from 85 and Piedmont, Atlanta friends! Huge fire. 85S - all lanes blocked. 85N - driving through pitch black smoke. pic.twitter.com/t1D6rnd2J2
— Rachel Kitchens (@racheldkitchens) March 30, 2017
The fire and bridge collapse is expected to close off the area for weeks.
Read more: Traffic standstill after I-85 fire & collapse in Atlanta
Also, APS was working on a transportation plan to move buses Thursday night that have to get to the North Atlanta Cluster to make sure those buses are available and able to transport students in the morning.
City and state offices will delay their starts Friday and open at 10 a.m., according to news reports.
Also, MARTA said that it would be expanding service throughout the weekend.
Governor Nathan Deal said in a media briefing that GDOT, along with the inspector and the original crew that constructed the bridge were being enlisted so that the damage could be assessed.
Image via Pixabay
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