March 26, 2008

ATLANTA (AP) -- Get ready for some weekend traffic jams on the so-called Downtown Connector, where Interstates 75 and 85 converge and lead into Atlanta.

The eight-month project starts Friday and will continue on the weekends.

The contractor, E.R. Snell, has drafted a plan for almost no work on traffic lanes from Monday to Friday so weekday commuters should not be affected. The state wants to get the work done by November 30th. That means weekend travelers will deal with traffic delays.

Officials with the Georgia Department of Transportation said Tuesday that some part of the connector will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for 30 weeks or more. Commuters are being advised to avoid the connector if possible during that time.

The work will continue during home games for the Atlanta Braves.

The connector was last paved right before the 1996 Olympic Games. Officials say it has reached the end of its 10- to 12-year lifespan.

Copyright 2008 by the Associated Press with information from the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution.