Atlanta's I-285 closure means major traffic this weekend. See detours.

Bad weather postponed a major construction project on Atlanta's primary highway encircling the city last weekend, but now the traffic chaos is here.

Transportation officials' advice? Avoid Atlanta if you can for the next three days.

The I-285 partial closure and resurfacing project was scheduled to begin May 8, but the Georgia Department of Transportation postponed the closure due to weather late Friday night.

The closure was rescheduled for this weekend, and a large section of I-285 on Atlanta's west side will close all northbound and southbound lanes the entire weekend, starting Friday evening.

The closure will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and run until 5 a.m. on Monday, May 18.

Where do the I-285 road closures start?

All lanes, both northbound and southbound, of I-285 will be closed on the west side of the city between Exit 7 at Cascade Road and Exit 9 at MLK Jr. Drive.

"This closure supports the ongoing I-285 Westside reconstruction project, which spans 10 miles from SR 14/South Fulton Parkway in College Park to Collier Road," according to GDOT. "Contractor work crews will mill and grind existing concrete pavement, preparing for slab repair and replacement. The full closure is required to accommodate heavy equipment operations safely, provide adequate workspace for crews, and protect motorists."

What is the recommended alternate route?

If you are traveling north on I-285, transportation officials recommend exiting at Exit 5 onto Langford Parkway. You should travel east on Langford Parkway until you meet I-75/I-85, where you will get onto I-75 north. You will then follow I-75 until you reach the I-20 interchange, where you will take I-20 west until it reaches I-285, and you will re-enter the highway at Exit 9 to continue north.

If you are traveling south on I-285, you will do the same trip but in reverse. Drivers will take Exit 9 and follow I-20 east to I-75, where they will travel south until Langford Parkway, where they will drive west to meet back up with I-285 at Exit 5.

Is the construction for the World Cup?

Despite the timing, GDOT officials say the construction project on I-285 is unrelated to Atlanta's role as one of the U.S. host cities for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Matches will start in Atlanta in the middle of June.

"One thing that we're seeing a lot of is 'Why are y'all doing this?' or 'Why are y'all trying to cram this project in just for the World Cup?'" a GDOT official said in a video. "Boy, I wish we'd be finished before the World Cup. But that isn't even the case."

The closure is part of a three-year project, and the official said there will be "many more full closures" over the next three years as the city restores large sections of I-285, a main route for many trying to get around and into Atlanta.

Tips from Georgia Department of Transportation

While transportation officials have outlined an intended detour, everyone who would normally be on I-285 will need to use the alternative route, meaning there will be significant traffic issues in and around Atlanta for the entirety of the weekend.

Traffic will impact the entire region, not just the detour route, officials said.

Here are some tips from GDOT:

• Allow a significant amount of extra time to get to your destination if you're planning to drive anywhere in west and southwest Atlanta
• There will be heavy congestion on Atlanta's major highways, so try to avoid them as much as possible, opting instead for smaller side roads
• Check the traffic conditions along your route using the 511GA app or other navigation applications or wayfinding apps to see where traffic is the heaviest
• Don't need to be out driving in that part of the city? Great, just stay away. Major local and interstate travel will both be impacted by the lane closures.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at [email protected].