Major Beam Hoisting at I-20/I-285 West Interchange Highlights Thursday Commute

Morning Commute Overview

Commuters in metro Atlanta should prepare for a busy Thursday on the roads as several long-term infrastructure projects reach significant milestones. The most notable activity today, February 26, 2026, involves the ongoing reconstruction of the I-20 and I-285 West interchange. Large precast concrete and steel beams, some weighing over 120,000 pounds, are currently being hoisted into place for the new flyover ramps. While work is moving ahead of schedule, motorists traveling through this west-side chokepoint should anticipate temporary traffic pacing and potential delays of up to 20 minutes, particularly during midday work windows.

Major Arteries and Roadworks

Beyond the west-side interchange, several other projects are impacting traffic flow today:

• Spring Street (US 19/GA 9): Various lane closures are in effect between Peachtree Street and 17th Street. These daily closures, scheduled from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, are necessary for bike lane installations and sidewalk upgrades.
• I-285/GA-400 Interchange: While the massive "Transform 285/400" project is nearing completion, drivers should remain alert for shifting lane configurations and localized maintenance near the Glenridge Connector.
• SR 10 (College Ave/Covington Hwy): Daytime operations continue along SR 10 between SR 155 and Emeril Drive. Expect moderate impacts on travel times for those moving through the DeKalb corridor.

Public Transport and MARTA Alerts

MARTA riders should be aware of several service adjustments and facility updates. The detour for Route 3 (Westbound), which began earlier this week, is scheduled to conclude in the early hours of Thursday morning, restoring regular service paths through the Jackson Street and Edgewood Avenue area. However, the long-term detour for Route 899 (Southbound) remains in effect.

In addition to bus reroutes, infrastructure work is impacting rail stations:

• Five Points Station: Extensive renovations continue. While the station remains open for rail transfers, several administrative offices—including Lost & Found and Reduced Fare services—have been relocated to Ashby Station.
• Lindbergh Center Station: Renovation work on Escalator 2 is slated to wrap up early this morning, potentially improving pedestrian flow for the morning rush.
• Xpress Commuter Bus: Routes 411, 413, and 416 are operating on detours in the downtown area near the MLK Federal Building due to local road closures.

Commuter Advice

Given the heavy construction activity at major interchanges, transit officials recommend using 511 Georgia for real-time updates and checking the MARTA On the Go app before heading out. For those commuting through Newton County, note that while a major resurfacing contract for I-20 was recently awarded, heavy equipment moves may cause intermittent shoulder activity today near Exit 92.