Christmas arrives early this year for motorists in Georgia and South Carolina. Both states will suspend lane closures in road construction projects on major highways.
The Georgia Department of Transportation said the lane closures will be suspended on heavily traveled interstates and on state routes near major shopping area and tourist attractions.
The suspensions for the Christmas holiday will be from Thursday, Dec 23 at 5 a.m. until Monday, Dec. 27 at 5 a.m. GDOT says the suspensions will resume for the New Year’s holiday weekend from Friday, Dec. 31 at 5 a.m. and ending on Sunday, Jan. 2 at 6 a.m.
“Holiday travel is predicted to surge back up to pre-pandemic numbers,” said Georgia DOT State Construction Engineer John Hancock. “We understand that drivers are eagerly anticipating spending time with their loved ones, but we would like to encourage everyone to drive defensively, especially during the winter, when a drop in temperature and any amount of precipitation can freeze and create hazardous road conditions.”
In South Carolina, there will be no lane closures on interstate highways for non-emergency work during the holiday travel period.
The Palmetto State will halt lanes closures beginning Thursday, Dec. 23 at 6 a.m. Work will resume on Monday, Jan 3 at 10 p.m.
Both state urge motorists to use their 5-1-1 system to track traffic and road conditions. The Georgia website is www.511GA.org and in South Carolina it is www.511SC.org.
Motorists can also call 5-1-1 in both states and download a free app. The systems are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
