Hooray! State Will Halt Road Closures Christmas Weekend

COBB COUNTY, GA -- The Georgia Department of Transportation has put a little something in the stockings of the state's drivers a little early, you might say. Road closures, the bane of metro Atlanta motorists, will cease during Christmas weekend, the agency said this week.

Specifically, GDOT promises to suspend construction on highways and roads near major shopping areas beginning Friday all the way through to Monday, the day after Christmas.

“We anticipate heavy traffic throughout Georgia as people visit family and friends, shop and
attend holiday events, " Georgia DOT State Construction Engineer John D. Hancock said in a news release. "We are limiting construction and associated lane closures for easier and safer travel.”

State officials are also concerned about drunken drivers being on the roads, so a reduction of distractions is a good thing this time of year, Hancock said.

“Driving under the influence is always an obvious concern -- especially during the holidays. But it’s the not-so obvious distractions -- like singing and talking in the car -- that you also need to be wary of. Let’s make this a safe, happy time for all.”

For real-time updates on travel conditions in and around Georgia’s interstates and state routes,
call 511 or visit www.511ga.org.