The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) announced it is suspending lane closures for the holiday weekend.  The suspension took effect yesterday, and will last until 10 p.m. Tuesday evening, December 26.

For the New Year’s weekend, lane closures will be suspended from 5 a.m. on Friday, December 29, 2023, until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

The press release from GDOT also stated:

While construction-related lane closures are paused, travelers are advised to remain vigilant, as maintenance crews may still be active near highways. Additionally, certain long-term lane closures may continue due to safety considerations. It’s important to note that incident management, emergency, or maintenance-related lane closures could be implemented at any time on any route.

GDOT also gave the following predictions for traffic in Georgia:

The historical travel data for major interstates outside of metro Atlanta during the Christmas and New Year’s periods indicates the following trends:

• I-20 eastbound congestion entering metro Atlanta; I-20 westbound congestion exiting the city towards Alabama. 
• I-75 is predicted to have heavy congestion southbound and northbound coming out of Atlanta in Stockbridge during Christmas, and lighter than usual congestion for New Year’s.
• I-95 northbound and southbound congestion in Savannah
• I-24 eastbound congestion in Northwest Georgia (near Chattanooga)
• I-16 westbound congestion exiting Savannah and I-16 eastbound congestion entering Savannah

About the Georgia Department of Transportation

The GDOT describes itself as follows:

“Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We’re involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. 

“And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. 

“The Department’s vision is to boost Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation.”

The GDOT’s governing body is the 14-member State Transportation Board. The board is chosen by the state legislative delegations of each of the 14 congressional districts in Georgia. The board members serve five-year terms.

The board is currently chaired by Emily Dunn from the 9th Congressional District.

The State Transportation Board chooses the commissioner, currently Russell R. McMurry.