Atlanta Sunday Traffic: Major I-285/I-20 East Closures and Downtown Game Delays

Significant Weekend Roadworks on I-285 and I-20

Commuters and weekend travelers should prepare for major disruptions on the east side of the Perimeter this Sunday, March 1, 2026. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has confirmed extensive lane closures as part of the ongoing I-285/I-20 East Interchange project. Construction partners will be active throughout the day, reconstructing system-to-system ramps and adding auxiliary lanes.

• I-20 Eastbound: Expect single and double lane closures from Wesley Chapel Road (MM 69.5) to Panola Road (MM 71.3). Additional shoulder closures are also in effect through the Fairington Road overpass.
• I-20 Westbound: Alternating lane closures will impact the stretch between Panola Road and Wesley Chapel Road.
• Interchange Ramps: The ramps connecting I-20 Eastbound to I-285 Northbound are restricted to single-lane access, which may cause significant bottlenecking during peak afternoon hours.

Perimeter and Northside Maintenance

On the northern and western arcs of I-285, maintenance crews are continuing resurfacing and bridge work. Drivers should anticipate delays between Bolton Road and Paces Ferry Road (Exit 18) on the eastbound side. Conversely, westbound travelers will face lane restrictions between Paces Ferry Road and South Cobb Drive (Exit 15). While these are routine maintenance projects, the combination of multiple work zones on the Perimeter makes a full loop trip significantly slower than usual today.

In Alpharetta, the State Road 9 (Main Street) widening project remains a factor. While major paving is scheduled for next month, median landscaping crews are active this weekend between Upper Hembree Road and Windward Parkway, resulting in intermittent narrow lanes.

MARTA Special Sunday Schedule

Public transit users should plan for longer wait times today. MARTA is operating on a special weekend rail schedule to accommodate necessary track maintenance and system-wide upgrades. Trains on the Red, Gold, Blue, and Green lines are running with a frequency of approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Additionally, riders heading to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport should take note of the upcoming faregate replacement project; while full closures at the Airport Station begin tomorrow, pre-construction staging may affect terminal flow today.

Event Alert: Downtown Congestion

Traffic in the Luckie Marietta District will increase this evening as the Atlanta Hawks host the Portland Trail Blazers at State Farm Arena. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6:00 PM, meaning heavy congestion is expected on Centennial Olympic Park Drive and MLK Jr. Drive starting as early as 4:30 PM. Fans are encouraged to use MARTA to reach the GWCC/State Farm Arena station to avoid high parking fees and gridlock. Additionally, the Atlanta Salsa and Bachata Festival continues at the Courtland Grand Hotel, adding to the local traffic volume in the downtown core.