MARTA Faregate Closures at Lindbergh and Major I-285 Westside Construction Slow Thursday Commute
Morning Commute Overview for Thursday, March 5, 2026
Atlanta commuters should prepare for a mix of transit detours and highway bottlenecks this morning. As the city continues its massive infrastructure overhaul, today marks a significant milestone in MARTA’s fare system upgrade, alongside ongoing major construction on the I-285 corridor. Whether you are taking the train or driving through the Westside, staying ahead of these updates is critical for a smooth arrival.
MARTA Service Alerts: Lindbergh Station Detours
The most significant transit update today involves MARTA’s "Better Breeze" faregate installation. Starting today, Thursday, March 5, the northeast and southeast faregates at the Lindbergh Center Station are closed for construction. These gates, located across from the MARTA headquarters, will be inaccessible while crews install new contactless payment technology.
- Access Points: Use the northwest faregates near the bus loop or the southwest faregates on Garson Drive.
- Travel Time: MARTA officials recommend allowing an extra two to five minutes to navigate these walking detours within the station.
- Other Affected Stations: Remember that similar closures remain in effect at Brookhaven, Buckhead, and the Airport stations. Passengers must pay their fare at their final destination if they enter through emergency gates during this construction phase.
Additionally, commuters should be aware that escalators remain out of service for renovation at several key hubs, including Arts Center, East Lake, and Sandy Springs. If you rely on these for accessibility, check the MARTA app for elevator alternatives.
Major Roadworks and Highway Delays
On the roads, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is heavily active on the Westside. The $366 million project to rebuild the aging "West Wall" of I-285 is now well underway. This project spans 15 miles from Paces Ferry Road in Cobb County down to South Fulton Parkway.
- I-285 Westside: While most heavy lane closures are scheduled for nights and weekends, commuters will notice narrower lanes and a reduced speed limit through this corridor. The infrastructure here is nearly 60 years old, and the current reconstruction is causing intermittent mid-morning delays as crews move equipment.
- I-20/I-285 Interchange: Work continues on the $1 billion overhaul of the West interchange. Expect heavy truck traffic and merging delays as this remains one of the region's top bottlenecks.
- Bartow County: For those commuting from the north, bridge reconstruction on US 41 over GA 293 near Emerson is entering its final stages this month. Lane shifts are in place as crews work on the northbound bridge structure.
Local Traffic Notes
In Gwinnett County, traffic remains sensitive on Duluth Highway following investigations into a recent fatal crash near Duluth High School. While lanes have reopened, local rubbernecking and residual safety patrols may slow the area during the peak rush. In South Fulton, Route 183 remains on detour near Niskey Lake Road due to safety concerns regarding lane widths; bus riders should utilize stops on Campbellton Road as an alternative.