SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — Drivers in South Fulton are dealing with multiple major road closures at the same time, creating headaches for residents and business owners across the area.
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Interstate 285 is shut down in both directions from Cascade Road to Langford Parkway for the weekend as part of the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Westside Rebuild project.
At the same time, a portion of Fairburn Road is closed for a bridge rebuilding project by the City of South Fulton.
Channel 2’s Eryn Rogers reports the closures are expected to have an even bigger impact this weekend because drivers being detoured around 285 are being directed to I-20 and the downtown connector.
That could create additional congestion as several major events are happening downtown, including the Atlanta Dream WNBA Finals, the Atlanta Hawks home opener and an Atlanta United game.
“People can’t get to where they’re going,” driver Willie Berry said.
Donald Williams, owner of Blake’s Oyster Bar, said the traffic is already affecting customers.
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“A lot of people do not want to deal with the traffic, and right now the traffic is bumper to bumper,” Williams said.
The 285 closure is scheduled to remain in place through the weekend.
South Fulton Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs acknowledged the number of construction projects happening in the area and asked drivers and residents to be patient.
“There’s a lot of construction happening, so I just ask people to bare through the times. These are good projects that will create and help us with our economic development,” Gumbs said. “The growth in the area has been a lot, and we have to prepare for that. I know that is a huge inconvenience to a lot of residents.”
But business owners say the closures are coming at a difficult time.
Narie Robinson, co-owner of BOSK on Fairburn Road, said the road closures are hurting businesses. She said they had several cancellations for the weekend.
“Both closures going on right at the same time, and then plus all the other construction pieces, it is like a negative impact. When especially, you know, it’s already just hard right now in the economy, anyway,” Robinson said.
Robinson said the impact goes beyond customers who may decide not to visit the area.
“It also impacts our delivery services, too, because now it’s adding in extra time for Uber Eats, DoorDash, and you know the third-party delivery,” she said. “The customers are calling: What’s taking so long for my food? And it’s not on us. You know we’ve made the food, but we can’t control the traffic and the closures.”
Williams said Blake’s Oyster Bar is typically packed on a Friday night, but he has noticed fewer reservations and bodies in the building.
“That’s where the frustration and the scare comes because I have about 60 to 70 employees here, and I have to provide for them,” Williams said.
Some drivers said they are simply choosing to avoid the area altogether.
“I might have to stay inside because the traffic is going to be out of control. Then cuz they got this blocked, and the expressway blocked off, where you gonna go?” Berry said.
The 285 closure is expected to reopen Monday morning at 5 a.m.
Gumbs said the city is also trying to expedite the Fairburn Road project, so it can still be completed in March.
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