Published Monday, August 04, 2008

Major shift of Interstate 85 traffic lanes begins today

The Times-Herald

Interstate 85 commuters will be riding through a major lane shift today inside the southbound construction corridor from Newnan south to the Meriwether County line.

The two outside (right) lanes of traffic southbound are being shifted to the two newly constructed inside (left) lanes -- which are each 11 feet wide, according to Kimberly Larson, district three communications officer for the Georgia Department of Transportation.

This shift was to take place at 1:30 a.m. and will be in place until October 2009. Southbound motorists will travel newly-constructed lanes with concrete barriers on the left and right shoulders.

Motorists will remain in this configuration until the outside lanes have been replaced. Construction will be done in seven-mile increments, with emergency pull-offs about every 6,000 feet in the work zone. Temporary lanes will be in place for exits.

The 14-mile section starts just north of Exit 47 (Highway 34/Bullsboro Drive) and continues to the Meriwether County line.

Georgia State Patrol urges motorists to "slow down, be alert and not follow other vehicles too closely."

In addition to the new lane traffic shifts, work crews will have lane closures through Thursday, Larson reports.

One closure is planned today near Exit 41 (U.S. 29/U.S. 27 Alternate), mileposts 40-38, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. with one left lane closed and one remaining open for traffic.

The other closure is planned Wednesday and Thursday near mileposts 41-39 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. One left lane will be closed with one remaining open for traffic for the work near Exit 41.