Camera Outages and I-285 Lane Closures to Disrupt Thursday Morning Commute

Morning Traffic Overview

Atlanta commuters should prepare for a complex Thursday morning on the roads this February 5, 2026. While the city continues to recover from the recent cold front, several significant infrastructure issues and scheduled maintenance projects are expected to impact travel times across the metro area. Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys, particularly those traveling through DeKalb and Fulton counties.

Major Artery Alerts and Roadworks

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has reported several active construction zones and incidents that will affect the morning rush:

• I-285 Northbound: Construction near Columbia Drive has resulted in a left lane blockage. This work is scheduled to continue until 11:00 AM today, which will likely cause heavy congestion for those heading toward the northern arc.
• I-285 Southbound: Overnight road construction near MLK Jr. Drive may have lingering impacts early this morning. Although scheduled to clear by 5:00 AM, heavy equipment and temporary lane shifts often cause early-hour bottlenecks.
• I-20 Corridors: Maintenance on I-20 Westbound near Holmes Drive and I-20 Eastbound near Columbia Drive will see two left lanes blocked until 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM respectively.
• Covington Highway (SR 12): A significant water main break past DeKalb Medical Parkway continues to block all lanes. Emergency responders and DeKalb Watershed teams remain on the scene, and there is currently no estimated time for reopening.

GDOT Scheduled Camera Outage

Commuters who rely on live traffic feeds should be aware that GDOT will be performing scheduled maintenance on the video server today from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. During this four-hour window, all traffic cameras across the metro area will be temporarily unavailable on the 511 system. Motorists are encouraged to call 511 for real-time audio updates while the visual feeds are offline.

MARTA Transit Service Updates

Public transport users face several station-specific updates today:

• Five Points Station: The East-West center platform remains open for Southbound transfers only. Passengers traveling Northbound must exit on the right-hand side in the direction of travel.
• Escalator Renovations: Multiple stations are undergoing maintenance. Escalators are currently out of service at Chamblee (Escalator 2), Arts Center (Escalator 5), and Sandy Springs (Escalator 1). Commuters requiring elevator access should verify availability before travel.
• Bus Routes: Minor cancellations have been noted for early morning trips on Route 8 and Route 36. MARTA continues its NextGen open house sessions throughout February, so look for informational flyers at major hubs.

Weather and Safety Advice

With temperatures gradually warming following the recent freeze, road surfaces may still harbor damp spots that could be slick in the early morning hours. GDOT and local authorities urge drivers to maintain a safe following distance and remain vigilant for HERO and CHAMP units assisting motorists on the interstates.