Guv: I-85 in Atlanta to reopen by Monday, just six weeks after bridge collapse

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Just six weeks after a March 30 bridge collapse on I-85 in Atlanta snarled traffic around the city, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal announced Wednesday the interstate will reopen by the morning rush hour on Monday, May 15, and possibly sooner. This is a month sooner than the original June 15 timetable for completion.

Even though through-trucks are not allowed to use I-85 through downtown Atlanta, the closure caused car traffic to be diverted onto I-285 around the perimeter of the city, as well as surface streets and other highways, causing longer than normal backups and delays.

Deal said in a press conference he is “pleasantly surprised” at how quickly the project has been completed.

Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry said in the press conference the northbound bridge could open as soon as Saturday and the southbound bridge on Sunday, weather permitting. Crews are still working to install expansion joints, pour the concrete side barriers, install lights and reconfigure lane stripes, McMurry added.

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