To ease Thanksgiving traffic congestion statewide, the Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending construction-related lane closures on interstate highways, heavily- traveled state routes from 6 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21 to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26.
Similar restrictions will be in place for Christmas and New Year’s. 
“Travel is expected to be at an all-time high this year as people visit friends and family for the Thanksgiving holiday and shop on Black Friday,” said Georgia DOT State Construction Engineer John D. Hancock. “In order to provide work-zone free travel, we are limiting construction and associated lane closures.”
 The department reminds travelers to exercise caution as crews may still work in proximity to highways and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place. Also, incident management or emergency, maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any interstate or state route.
 “We typically see an increase in roadway fatalities during heavy travel holidays,” Hancock said. “I urge drivers to slow down and drive alert. Drivers should adhere to the new hands-free cell phone law that went into effect earlier this year and ensure that everyone in their vehicle is wearing a seatbelt. Let’s make this a happy Thanksgiving for all.”