One of the busiest travel holidays of the year is only hours away and the Georgia DOT is advising motorist to expect delays, plan ahead and be patient. If Wednesday’s traffic is anything like the past few years, congestion will begin to build on Georgia’s roads by noon, three to four hours earlier than usual. Motorists should plan to travel in the morning or after 6 p.m.

“The day before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Gena Evans. “Traffic congestion may begin as early as 1:00 p.m. in high-volume areas.”

In metro Atlanta, those areas include, but are not limited to the following areas:

· I-75/85 southbound (Downtown Connector)

· I-285 on the top end

· SR 400 in both directions

· I-85 in Gwinnett County

· I-75 in Cobb County

· I-75 Southbound in Clayton and Henry counties

As a reminder, Georgia DOT will suspend construction-related lane closures on all interstates and major state routes from 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 26th until midnight, Sunday, November 30th.

Permanent lane closures may also be in place on I-85 in Meriwether and Coweta counties, I-75 in South Georgia and I-95 on the coast. Also, incident management or emergency maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary on any route.

The Department urges motorists to drive cautiously as work not requiring lane closures may continue on some projects, especially less-traveled state and local system roads and streets.

Check the maps on www.georgia-navigator.com for current road conditions, or call 511 on any phone for free, real-time traffic information. Traveler information is also available at www.511ga.org and a toll-free number for callers from outside the state, 1-877-MYGA511

(1-877-694-2511).

Georgia 511 provides statewide traffic conditions, route-specific information and estimated travel times within metro Atlanta. Additionally, 511 callers can access transit providers, major airports, rideshare organizations, Georgia tourism information and 511 systems in neighboring states.

For those preparing to fly, 511 connects callers to airports in Atlanta and Savannah for information on parking, delays or connections to carriers. An automated voice recognition system guides the service, but callers can also reach live operators to report accidents or congestion, request HERO assistance or obtain additional information.

“Holiday traffic, coupled with the chance of rain throughout the weekend, make Georgia 511 a necessary companion for Thanksgiving travelers,” Evans added.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our Web site (www.dot.ga.gov).