Clayton County

Emergency maintenance scheduled along I-285 EB due to ‘damaged’ sign, GDOT says

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — GDOT shut down both directions on Interstate 285 in Clayton County Wednesday evening for emergency repairs.

Hundreds were stuck in traffic after an accident on 285 just before Riverdale Road days left damage to the pole holding up this green directional sign.

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“When we looked at it following that crash, it needed to eventually be replaced but it was not the emergency maintenance approach that we are taking,” said Natalie Dale with the Georgia Department of Transportation.

But with Hurricane Nicole headed our direction, plans changed.

“Because of the winds that are coming in with this storm system, we went back out and looked at it. And said it’s not likely that this sign would come down because of these winds. But that is not a chance we are willing to take,” said Dale.

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GDOT made a quick decision to shut down 285 in both directions to make the repairs. The extremely busy stretch of roadway closed to traffic before 9 Wednesday night for work that should only take a couple of hours.

And with a storm on the way, GDOT said it will be preparing all roadways and construction sites before the storm arrives.

Crews will be out to remove a green directional sign. It’s unclear how or if the sign is malfunctioning or damaged.

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They work 24 hours we have crews that are always on call to go in a fix those things in the middle of the night if they need to,” added Dale.

The alternate route for I-285 SB and EB will be Old National Highway. The alternate route for I-85 NB is also Old National Highway.

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