Atlanta Traffic Update: Storm Recovery and Major MARTA Construction at Lenox Station

Commuter Alert: Navigating the Recovery from Winter Storm Fern

Good morning, Atlanta. As we move into Thursday, January 29, 2026, the metro area is finally seeing a return to normalcy following the significant disruptions caused by Winter Storm Fern earlier this week. Governor Brian Kemp’s statewide State of Emergency is set to expire tonight, marking a transition from crisis response to standard operations across our major transit corridors.

MARTA Service Alerts and Station Construction

While rail and bus services have largely returned to their regular schedules, commuters using the Gold Line should be aware of a major construction project beginning today. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has confirmed that the next phase of the "Better Breeze" fare system installation starts this morning at Lenox Station. Commuters should prepare for the following:

• Lenox Station Detours: Starting today, Thursday, January 29, the faregates nearest to the Lenox Square Mall entrance are closed for equipment upgrades. Travelers must follow posted signage to the North entrance via Resurgens Plaza.
• Bus Loop Access: For those utilizing Bus Route 27 or regional shuttles at Lenox, please use the lower concourse emergency gate for direct access to the bus loop.
• MARTA Open House: For those interested in the future of Atlanta transit, MARTA is hosting a public open house today from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the MARTA Headquarters Atrium (2424 Piedmont Road NE). Officials will be on hand to discuss the NextGen Bus Network and the new tap-to-pay technology arriving this spring.

Highway Conditions and Major Projects

Road conditions have improved significantly as ice melt concludes, though secondary roads in North Fulton and DeKalb may still have lingering damp spots that could freeze slightly during the early morning hours. On the major arteries, traffic flow is heavy but moving at typical Thursday volumes.

In long-term news, motorists on the south side should take note of the recently announced $1.8 billion investment for I-75 in Henry County. While major lane closures for this specific project are not yet in full swing, preliminary engineering activities are increasing congestion near the I-675 interchange. Additionally, the Transform 285/400 project continues to see nightly lane shifts, though no major daytime closures are reported for today.

Safety and Travel Reminders

With the State of Emergency concluding, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is reporting a steady recovery. After over 1,000 flight cancellations earlier this week, operations are nearing 100% capacity today. However, travelers are still encouraged to check their flight status before heading to the terminal as crews continue to reposition aircraft. Drive safely and stay alert to changing conditions on the Downtown Connector as the morning rush peaks.