Rolling Closures on Downtown Connector; 10th Street Remains Shut for Sewer Repairs
Atlanta Weekend Traffic Outlook
Commuters and weekend travelers in Atlanta should prepare for a mix of rolling interstate closures and significant local street disruptions this Saturday, February 28, 2026. While the severe weather that brought flash flooding to parts of Buckhead and near Georgia Tech on Friday has cleared, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is moving forward with several high-impact maintenance projects. Additionally, ripple effects from a national aviation crisis are causing substantial delays at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Major Interstate Impacts: I-75/85 and I-285
The most widespread impact for drivers today involves rolling lane closures on the Downtown Connector. GDOT crews are scheduled to perform thermoplastic installation on I-75/85 in both directions. These operations will stretch from University Avenue up to 17th Street. Motorists should expect sudden lane shifts and temporary slows between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM. While these are rolling closures designed to minimize standing traffic, the high volume of Saturday midday travel is likely to cause significant backups through the heart of the city.
On the Westside, the massive $1 billion I-285/I-20 West Interchange overhaul continues to affect travel in Southwest Fulton. Drivers should expect adjusted travel lanes and potential ramp narrows near the interchange. GDOT advises using alternate routes like Highway 166 (Langford Parkway) or I-85 to bypass the construction zone if heading toward the airport or Douglasville.
Midtown and Local Street Closures
In Midtown, 10th Street NE remains completely closed to through traffic between Piedmont Avenue and Peachtree Street. This 24-hour closure is part of an emergency sewer mainline rehabilitation project. Detours are in place, but residents should expect heavy congestion on 8th Street and 12th Street as traffic is diverted around the work zone. Furthermore, rolling resurfacing projects are active on city routes including Jesse Hill Jr. Drive and Ted Turner Drive, which may cause intermittent delays for those navigating the downtown business district.
MARTA and Airport Updates
Public transit offers a reliable alternative today as MARTA is operating on a normal weekend rail schedule. However, riders should be aware of several facility updates. Escalator and elevator renovations are currently impacting accessibility at the Lindbergh, Arts Center, Sandy Springs, and Lenox stations. Several bus routes, including Routes 26, 36, and 899, remain on detour due to the ongoing street maintenance mentioned above.
For those heading to Hartsfield-Jackson, allow at least an extra hour for check-in. The airport is reporting over 200 flight delays today as the aviation system recovers from earlier winter storms in the Northeast. Additionally, a partial DHS shutdown has impacted TSA staffing, leading to longer-than-usual security wait times. Check your flight status and security wait times before leaving home.