ATLANTA, GA — Metro Atlanta drivers are facing another full weekend closure on Interstate 285 as the Georgia Department of Transportation prepares to shut down both directions of the highway on the city’s west side.

The closure is scheduled to begin Friday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. and continue until Monday, Sept. 21, at 5 a.m. The affected stretch runs between State Route 166, also known as Langford Parkway, and Cascade Road.

Transportation officials are urging drivers to plan ahead, since traffic is expected to back up not only on I-285 but also on nearby streets and alternate routes as vehicles are pushed around the work zone.

Weekend closure will block both directions between Exit 5 and Exit 7

The shutdown will close all northbound and southbound lanes of I-285 between Exit 5 at SR 166/Langford Parkway and Exit 7 at Cascade Road. That means drivers crossing southwest Atlanta will not be able to use the interstate through that segment for the duration of the work window.

Because the closure covers both directions, officials expect significant rerouting pressure on local roads. Motorists who normally use this part of the Perimeter will need to find an alternate path before reaching the barricades.

GDOT said drivers should watch for electronic message boards and posted detour signs throughout the weekend to avoid being caught in the shut down area.

Closure is tied to the I-285 Westside Rebuild project

The weekend shutdown is part of the broader I-285 Westside Rebuild project, a major reconstruction effort aimed at replacing and rehabilitating aging concrete pavement along the west side of the interstate.

The full project covers about 10 miles of I-285, stretching from South Fulton Parkway in College Park to the Collier Road area. GDOT has been using full weekend closures to get work done that would be difficult and unsafe to complete while traffic is moving through the corridor.

Officials have framed the effort as a long-term repair job meant to improve the roadway after years of wear on the pavement.

Previous shutdown in the same area lasted longer than planned

The latest closure carries extra weight for commuters because the last full weekend shutdown in this same area did not reopen on schedule. That earlier closure was supposed to end at 5 a.m. Monday, but the roadway stayed closed longer than expected.

When the reopening slipped, the delay reached into the morning commute and created major traffic problems across the area. Drivers who rely on this section of I-285 were left dealing with backups and unexpected changes to their routes.

That experience is one reason transportation officials are warning commuters to have a backup plan ready before they head out Monday morning.

Alternate routes include SR 166, I-20 and the Downtown Connector

GDOT has pointed drivers to several possible detours, including SR 166/Langford Parkway, I-20 and the I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector. Those routes are expected to absorb some of the traffic that would normally stay on the Perimeter.

Officials are also telling motorists to give themselves extra travel time, especially if they are heading through southwest Atlanta or trying to reach weekend events. The advice is to leave earlier than usual and check traffic conditions before getting on the road.

For real-time updates, GDOT recommends using the 511GA system. Drivers can also follow detour signs and electronic alerts posted along the route.

Commuters are being told to prepare before the Monday morning rush

The timing of the closure means the biggest concern may come when commuters try to return to work Monday morning. If the highway does not reopen exactly on time, traffic could spill into the start of the workweek again, just as it did during the last closure in the area.

For that reason, transportation officials are encouraging drivers who use this stretch of I-285 regularly to think ahead now rather than wait until they hit the detour. Leaving earlier, using an alternate route before approaching the shutdown, and checking for live updates are all part of the recommended plan.

The closure is scheduled to end at 5 a.m. Monday, but officials want motorists to stay alert in case the reopening is delayed.