Presidents' Day Update: Major Interstate Reopenings and Lighter Holiday Volume Expected

Morning Commute Overview

Good morning, Atlanta. Today is Monday, February 16, 2026. As the city observes Presidents' Day, commuters can expect significantly lighter traffic volumes than a typical Monday morning. While many government offices and schools are closed, those heading to work should be mindful of several major construction project reopenings and the aftermath of a storm system that moved through the Southeast yesterday.

Major Highway Reopenings

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) crews have been working through a heavy weekend of scheduled maintenance. Most of these major closures were scheduled to wrap up at 5:00 AM today. If you are on the roads early, you may still see work crews clearing barriers and transitioning lanes back to their normal configurations in the following areas:

• Downtown Connector (I-75/85 NB): The four right lanes near Piedmont and Baker have been under closure for signal and maintenance work. These should be fully reopened for the morning drive.
• I-20/I-75/85 Interchange: The critical exit ramp from I-20 westbound and eastbound to I-75/85 northbound (mile marker 246) was closed throughout the weekend. It is now open, though drivers should remain alert for residual debris.
• The Perimeter (I-285): Double right lane closures on I-285 southbound over Mount Gilead Road and the sections between Paces Ferry Road and South Cobb Drive are scheduled to conclude this morning.

Ongoing Construction Alerts

While the weekend intensives are ending, long-term project activity continues. In North Fulton, preliminary work for the SR 400 Express Lanes project remains active. Motorists should watch for lane shifts and tree-clearing crews near the North Springs MARTA station. Additionally, the I-285/I-20 West Interchange project continues to see nightly lane shifts that may impact those traveling through South Fulton during the early pre-dawn hours.

MARTA and Transit Service

For those relying on public transportation, MARTA is operating on a modified schedule today due to the federal holiday. Most rail lines and bus routes are running on a Saturday schedule. This means less frequent service than a standard weekday, so please check the MARTA app or schedule boards before heading to the platform. MARTA Rapid A-Line (BRT) construction continues in the Summerhill and Peoplestown areas, but no major transit service interruptions have been reported for this morning.

Weather and Road Conditions

Roads may remain slick in patches following the heavy rainfall and storm activity experienced on Sunday. With temperatures expected to hover in the mid-60s today, visibility is good, but drivers should use caution on secondary roads where wind-blown debris from yesterday's storms might still be present. Overall, it is a smooth start to the holiday Monday for the metro area.