ONE FINAL TRAFFIC CHALLENGE FOR I-85 FIX

Lane closures planned as section that collapsed in fire gets final fixes.

Traffic in the area of the collapsed I-85 bridge may get worse before it gets better, as the state prepares to reopen the highway this weekend.

The Georgia Department of Transportation was closing lanes in the area overnight and pacing traffic Thursday night and Friday morning. The moves were in preparation to restore traffic conditions on some ramps and roads to the way they existed prior to the collapse of the bridge near Piedmont Road on March 30.

GDOT was returning Buford Highway northbound, the ramps from Sidney Marcus Boulevard to Ga. 400 northbound and Piedmont Circle back to their original lane configurations.

The ramp from I-85 northbound to Buford Highway northbound was being returned to a single lane, and the merge points between Armour Drive and Piedmont Road were being restored. The Ga. 400 northbound on-ramp at Sidney Marcus was returning to a single lane. Piedmont Circle was returning to two lanes eastbound and one lane westbound. The work was to have been completed by 5 a.m. today.

Tonight, GDOT will close the Buford Spring Connector southbound at I-85 southbound — including access from I-85 southbound, Piedmont Road southbound and Armour Drive. This will allow crews to convert the on-ramp to I-85 southbound back to a single lane. The work is expected to be finished by 5 a.m. Saturday.

GDOT has not said exactly when I-85 will reopen. But it has said the northbound lanes will likely open sometime Saturday, and the southbound lanes should reopen sometime Sunday.

In any case, Gov. Nathan Deal and GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry have pledged the highway will reopen before morning rush hour Monday.

HYOSUB SHIN / AJC Crews put the finishing touches on the new I-85 northbound section on Wednesday in preparation for reopening this weekend. Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry said I-85 will reopen in time for Monday’s morning rush hour...