I-85 Bridge Collapse: Alternate Routes, Traffic Info, Open Streets

ATLANTA, GA — One day after a fire that collapsed a section of Interstate 85, Friday commuters were trying to make their way around Atlanta.

Georgia Department of Transportation officials said that in addition to the southbound lanes of I-85, the northbound lanes need to be replaced as well, citing safety concerns.

Repairing the roadway traveled by nearly 250,000 vehicles a day will take "several months," officials said, a guarantee of sustained road woes for commuters.

"In DeKalb, traffic on I-85 South is being diverted onto Exit 93/Shallowford Road. Lanes are expected to remain closed indefinitely," DeKalb County said in a news release.

Piedmont southbound and the exit south at the Buford/Spring connector to get into Midtown was open, but delays were heavy, according to local traffic reports.

SEE ALSO: I-85 Bridge Collapse: Plan New Commute Route, State Of Emergency Declared

Vehicles traveling on the Downtown Connector northbound are being diverted onto I-75 North. I-85 North is closed north of 17th Street.

Routes affected by the I-85 collapse:

• I-85 southbound unaccessible from Chamblee-Tucker Road, Shallowford Rd, Clairemont Rd or N. Druid.
• Buford/Spring Connector/Highway 13 remains closed in both directions.
• Piedmont at Piedmont Circle was closed.
• I-85 southbound is closed at the Ga. 400 ramp. Vehicles are being diverted to Ga. 400.
• Ga. 400 Southbound is closed at Sidney Marcus.
• Ga. 400 southbound ramp to I-85 northbound is open.
• I-75/85 northbound is being diverted to I-75 North at the Brookwood Split.
• I-75 southbound travelers cannot access the ramp to I-85 northbound (exit 251).
• Vehicles traveling south on Ga. 400 must exit at Sidney Marcus.
• Drivers traveling from I-75 South cannot access the Brookwood Split.
• The I-85 South ramp to Lindbergh is closed.
• Piedmont southbound must exit at Buford Highway.

Atlanta Public Schools and Fulton County Schools will operate on a normal schedule. However, DeKalb County Schools have decided to cancel classes Friday.

DeKalb officials are working with GDOT on detour routes. Here some more roadways affected:

All classes in the DeKalb County School District are closed, with 12-month employees reporting to work.

The interstate — both northbound and southbound — will be closed for the next few weeks as crews begin to assess the damage and begin repairs on the major thoroughfare.

Read more: Life Without I-85: Commuters Are Feeling The Pain
Read more: I-85 Bridge Collapse: 'Extensive Reconstruction' Needed
Read more: I-85 Bridge Collapse: Alternate Routes, Traffic Info
Read more: What Does I-85 Collapse Mean For ATL Schools?

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