METRO ATLANTA — Drivers on the west side of Interstate 285 face major detours this weekend as the Georgia Department of Transportation closes all lanes in designated sections for reconstruction. The closures started Friday evening, November 13, and are scheduled to last until 5 a.m. Monday, November 16, weather permitting.
The affected stretches are near the Atlanta–Smyrna area, and the limits are different depending on which way drivers are traveling.
Exactly where I-285 is closed
- Northbound: All lanes are closed between South Atlanta Road (Exit 16) and South Cobb Drive / State Route 280 (Exit 15).
- Southbound: All lanes are closed between Paces Ferry Road (Exit 18) and South Cobb Drive / State Route 280 (Exit 15).
- Timing: The scheduled full closure runs from 7 p.m. Friday, November 13, through 5 a.m. Monday, November 16.
Georgia DOT advises affected motorists to use alternate routes including I-75, the I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector and I-20. The state warns of major congestion on the surrounding interstate network and local roads as traffic is diverted.
Why the closure is happening
The work is part of the I-285 Westside Rebuild, a multiyear effort to replace deteriorating concrete pavement along roughly 14 miles of the corridor. Transportation officials have scheduled additional full weekend closures during the construction program, so this is not expected to be the last major disruption.
Drivers heading to work, concerts, airport connections or events around Cobb County should plan ahead and check live road reports. Construction timing and traffic patterns can change because of weather and on-site conditions.
For the latest official closure notices, check 511 Georgia’s traffic alerts or Georgia DOT’s weekend lane closure schedule.
Featured image: File photo of I-285 in Cobb County, May 2026; Mccunicano / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. The photo does not show this weekend’s closure.
