Wednesday, June 8, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | PTC, Tyrone drivers need alternate routes this weekendExtreme delays expected for those taking I-85 directly to Hwy. 74By JOHN MUNFORD The southbound access ramp from Interstate 85 to Ga. Highway 74 will not be closed this weekend as originally planned since rain last weekend pushed back the contractors schedule on the I-85 rehabilitation project. But weekend motorists should still find a way around the project this weekend, as there will be double lane closures on the southbound lanes of I-85 all the way up to the Hwy. 74 ramp itself, said Karlene Barron of the Georgia Department of Transportation. The exit ramp itself will be open, but it will be difficult to get to because of the lane closures, Barron indicated. The same lane closures were in place the weekend of May 27-29, and there were extreme delays for motorists, Barron said. This coming weekend will be no different, she added. As usual, the lane closures will start around 9 p.m. Friday and last all the way through 5 a.m. Monday so they dont impact commuter traffic. The project is necessary to repair damaged sections of pavement on I-85 between Hwy. 74 and Old National Highway, officials said. Closing of the southbound ramps, which includes the on-ramp leading from I-85 to Hwy. 74 and the ramp from Hwy. 74 to southbound I-85, is now slated for the weekend of June 17-19. Although it was originally planned for the ramps to be closed two consecutive weekends, that is up in the air at this point, Barron said. Weekend motorists driving back to Peachtree City and Tyrone on Hwy. 74 from Atlanta have several options for alternate routes. South Fulton Parkway, which is several exits north of Ga. Highway 74, intersects with U.S. 29 (Roosevelt Highway). U.S. 29 goes through downtown Fairburn and connects to Hwy. 74 a few miles north of the I-85/Hwy. 74 interchange. If traffic isnt backed up too far, motorists can stay on I-85 a little longer, exiting to the right onto Ga. Highway 138 to reach U.S. 29, taking a left there to reach Ga. Highway 74. Some Peachtree City residents might also find it easy to detour through Fayetteville, taking the Riverdale Road exit off I-85. Turn left onto Riverdale Road, going past Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and then turn right onto Ga. Highway 314, which goes directly into Fayetteville. |
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